Landschap met gevallen ruiter 1666 - 1695

Jean Pesne made this etching, titled "Landschap met gevallen ruiter", sometime in the 17th century. It depicts a landscape complete with a bridge, body of water, and buildings. In the foreground, a bullfighter brandishes his cape, while nearby a horse and rider have taken a tumble; the fallen rider is even being sniffed by a dog. The print deftly captures a moment of disruption, one of the era’s popular pastimes turned on its head. Is this a commentary on the dangers and perhaps the absurdities of such spectacles? Prints like these were more than just decorative; they circulated ideas and fantasies across Europe. Who was this art for, and what desires did it cater to? The elite, no doubt, but perhaps it also offered a vicarious thrill to those who could only dream of such displays. This image isn’t just a landscape; it’s a stage where power, entertainment, and identity collide.