Paard bij een voederbak 1811 - 1867

Christiaan Wilhelmus Moorrees created this etching of a "Horse at a Feeding Trough" sometime in the mid-19th century. Moorrees, living through the tumult of post-Napoleonic Europe, likely witnessed a society grappling with shifts in class and labor. Here, the horse—a beast of burden—is paused during his labors, as is his master, who is perhaps taking a smoke break. The etching seems to ask us to consider the nature of work, and the relationship between man and animal. The relatively small size of the artwork gives us an intimate view. The dog, with its lively stance, reminds us of the multiple levels of servitude and companionship that mark human relations to the animal world. The scene invites us to reflect on how we negotiate power and dependence in our relationships, and on how labor is allocated and valued.