Tweede slede 1776

Nicolaas van der Worm created this drawing, titled 'Tweede slede', sometime around the late 18th century. During this period, the Dutch Republic was undergoing significant social and political changes, which influenced artistic expression. The artwork shows a sleigh pulled by two horses, carrying three figures who appear to be of high social status, as well as two guards, equipped with spears and shields. The detailed rendering of the figures' clothing and the ornate decoration of the sleigh and horses suggest a focus on the visual representation of class. The figures are adorned with decorative elements, which highlights the performance of identity and the display of status, reflective of the societal norms of the time. It’s interesting how van der Worm uses a traditional medium to portray an image steeped in the social and cultural nuances of his era. The artwork invites us to consider the role of identity, class, and societal norms, while also underscoring the emotional investment we place in symbolic representations of status.