Hoofd van een paard 1796 - 1856

Reinierus Albertus Ludovicus baron van Isendoorn à Blois made this etching titled 'Head of a Horse'. Horses, throughout history, have been symbols of status, power, and freedom, particularly for the aristocracy to which van Isendoorn belonged. How might the artist's social standing and personal history influence the way he portrays the animal? What does it mean to create an image of a horse during a period of social and political change? In terms of equestrian status, were horses like this one tools of war or symbols of wealth? This etching invites us to consider the intersections of class, power, and representation. It prompts us to reflect on the historical context that shaped both the artist and his subject. We're left to consider the role of animals in art and society, and how their portrayals reflect societal values and hierarchies.