Sledetocht op ijs 1598

Christoph Krieger’s woodcut, “Sledetocht op ijs”, or “Sleigh Ride on Ice”, comes to us from an unbound book. It offers a glimpse into a world where the frozen waterways become thoroughfares, and where human and animal labor is entwined. The print depicts two scenes of winter travel, where horse and reindeer draw sledges filled with figures across the ice. There’s something about the way the figures are huddled together in the sledges, perhaps for warmth, that evokes the communal experience of travel in a pre-industrial age. The act of journeying transforms into a collective endeavor, reliant on both animal strength and human cooperation. This image isn't just a depiction of a winter activity; it's a reflection of the relationship between people, animals, and the environment, inviting us to consider the shared histories embedded in our modes of transport.