Liggend paard 1816

Jean Bernard’s pencil drawing, "Liggend paard," which translates to "reclining horse," offers a glimpse into the relationship between humans and animals at a time of great social upheaval. During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as society underwent significant changes, the representation of animals in art served not only as studies of nature, but also as reflections of societal values and the place of non-human creatures within it. Horses, in particular, were potent symbols of power, labor, and status. Bernard’s choice to depict a horse in a moment of rest is intriguing. Instead of glorifying the animal’s strength or utility, the artist captures a moment of vulnerability, even intimacy. The gaze of the horse, gentle and knowing, implicates us. It invites contemplation on the changing social landscape, and perhaps, on our own humanity. It challenges the traditional hierarchy placing humans above animals, and speaks to a shared experience of existence.