Twee paarden met een tuig 1840

"Twee paarden met een tuig", or Two Horses with Harness, is a pencil drawing by Johannes Tavenraat. Born in Rotterdam in 1809, Tavenraat lived through a period of significant social and political change in the Netherlands. This sketch offers a glimpse into the role of animals in 19th-century Dutch society. Horses were essential for transport, agriculture, and military operations, making their depiction a reflection of the nation's economic and social activities. Tavenraat's choice to focus on working horses, complete with harness, invites us to consider the labor and utility of these animals. The drawing's stark simplicity encourages an emotional connection, prompting reflections on the lives of these animals and their relationship with humans. It is a snapshot of a time when the bond between humans and animals was both practical and deeply ingrained in the fabric of everyday life.