Hestene vandes 1884

Otto Bache created this print called *Hestene vandes*, or *Watering the Horses*, in 1884. Bache was a product of his time, part of the Danish Golden Age, a period of intense national pride and cultural production. Here, we see a man on horseback, casually guiding another horse, both captured in a moment of dynamic movement, perhaps approaching water. The scene hints at rural life and the relationship between humans and animals, but it's also a display of control. Who has access to these animals? Who has the power to direct their energy and labor? Bache came from a privileged background, and his art often reflects the values and aesthetics of the Danish upper class. There is an undeniable beauty in the image, but it's important to consider the social dynamics at play. It is a window into a world of class, labor, and our complicated relationship with the natural world.