21 circusoefeningen met paarden en andere dieren 1847 - 1856

Curator: What strikes me first is the organized chaos. The animals and figures seem caught in a constant, impossible dance. Editor: Well, that makes sense! We are looking at “21 circusoefeningen met paarden en andere dieren” - 21 Circus Exercises with Horses and Other Animals by Victor Adam, an engraving dating from around 1847 to 1856, housed right here at the Rijksmuseum. Curator: Right, a Romantic Era print! In this period, circuses were more than mere entertainment, becoming stages for projecting fantasies about humanity’s relationship with nature and animals. The engraving's romantic style elevates simple entertainment into a symbolic interplay between control and freedom. Editor: Definitely, and in these historical moments circuses presented unique roles for women and people of color, so it is not a celebration of universal representation; but instead the possibility of defying the conventions for many people that had a low voice and status. It also brings up questions of animal rights of course… The line work is quite simple. Almost cartoonish... do you see some cultural elements represented here? Curator: Absolutely, particularly the images of horseback riders who seem almost to imitate the attire of knights from medieval romances and legends. This connects the contemporary circus with romanticised historical periods, layering symbolism and fantasy over present reality. Editor: But this work seems to highlight more than individual riders. Instead of emphasizing individual stories and journeys, each framed element in “21 Circus Exercises” presents one unified action from one specific person... all isolated as part of a broader spectacle. Curator: Precisely, the figures create a cohesive cultural image through ritualised actions. Editor: And a spectacle involving non-human actors in service of human ambitions. Seeing these performers balanced atop these noble steeds…it makes me think about power structures and their reflection. Curator: An acrobat perched precariously might carry connotations about societal instability, the risk inherent in display, and performance, reflecting the changing dynamics of Europe at the time the work was created. Editor: In conclusion, what this artwork offers us is not simply a pretty view of circus performers and trained elephants doing amazing stunts. Victor Adams instead created an iconography of a crucial transitional epoch where historical archetypes were recycled and redefined through a culture driven by performances. Curator: A potent visual summary. I will ponder on the psychological effects of performance over time. Thank you.