Man in oosterse kleding te paard 1861

Rodolphe Bresdin created this etching, "Man in oosterse kleding te paard," depicting a man in oriental clothing on horseback, sometime during his lifetime, between 1822 and 1885. Bresdin, nicknamed the "king of engravers" was known for his detailed and imaginative prints, often tinged with a sense of the fantastical. The "oriental" attire of the rider invites us to consider the 19th-century European fascination with the "Orient." The clothing and the horse evoke a sense of exoticism and otherness, reflecting the time period's colonial gaze. The etching's intricate lines and shading create a rich texture that is somewhat dreamlike. Bresdin lived a life of poverty, and this struggle often found its way into his art. Consider how his life circumstances might have informed his art and this piece specifically. What aspects of the work convey this complexity and emotional depth?