Nederlands stel, waarvan de vrouw te paard 1862

This woodblock print, created by Utagawa Yoshikazu, depicts a Dutch couple, the woman elegantly mounted on horseback. The horse itself bears symbolic weight. Horses, throughout history, have signified power, nobility, and freedom. In ancient Greece, we see horses adorning the Parthenon friezes, symbols of Athenian might. Equestrian statues of Roman emperors projected authority, a tradition echoed in Renaissance portrayals of monarchs on horseback. Yet, here, the horse seems almost subdued, domesticated—reflecting perhaps the exotic allure of Westerners in Japan, alongside a subtle taming of their perceived power. This image engages our collective memory, stirring subconscious associations with dominance and control. The horse, a powerful animal, is rendered almost docile under the woman's guidance, echoing the cyclical dance of power and submission that recurs throughout human history.