Horse Race c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have William Nicholson's "Horse Race," date unknown, at the Harvard Art Museums. The stark contrast between light and shadow gives it a very dynamic feel. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: I see the portrayal of power dynamics. Consider the historical context: horse racing was a spectacle enjoyed by the elite. Nicholson, though, gives us a simplified, almost abstracted view. Who benefits, and who is exploited in this system? Editor: That's a very different angle than I considered! I was focused on the action, the speed. Curator: Exactly. But speed for whom, and at what cost? Thinking about the labour and the animals used in this spectacle raises important questions about social hierarchies. Editor: I'll definitely look at it differently now. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Art is never neutral.