Voorgevel van de Hollandsche Manege in Amsterdam 1790

This etching depicts the facade of the Hollandsche Manege in Amsterdam, created by Noach van der (II) Meer in the 18th or 19th century. At the time it was made, equestrian culture was closely tied to aristocracy and military prowess. While seemingly a simple architectural study, consider the social context of who had access to such facilities. Who were the riders, and who were the stable workers? What did it mean to engage in leisurely pursuits when so many were excluded? The artist's delicate rendering captures not just a building, but also a world of social stratification and unspoken hierarchies. It invites us to reflect on the accessibility of leisure and the power structures embedded in everyday life.