Paarden 1778 - 1838

"Paarden," or "Horses," was created by Anthonie van den Bos, an artist who lived through the dramatic transformations of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Executed as a sketch, the work provides insight into the relationship between humans, animals, and the pastoral landscape. Horses were essential to the political economy of this period, representing labor, transportation, and military might, yet, here, they are rendered with a gentle, almost familial quality. Are they work horses, war horses, or simply a part of the scenery? The absence of human figures invites contemplation on the animals’ intrinsic value beyond their utility. The artist's choice to present the horses in a simple line drawing might imply the economic instability and social change that marked the Netherlands during this era. This sketch becomes a poignant reflection on the shifting relationships between humanity and nature, echoing broader questions of identity, purpose, and belonging in a world undergoing constant change.