Man op een paard in een pirouette before 1889

This anonymous print, found in a book at the Rijksmuseum, captures a horse and rider executing a pirouette. We see how images of horsemanship were circulated and understood, likely in the 19th century, a time of strict class divisions in Europe. The image doesn't just show a horse trick, it reflects specific values: control, discipline, and the refinement associated with the upper classes who had the leisure to pursue such activities. The accompanying text, which describes the technique, turns the image into an instructional tool and underlines the institutionalisation of social rituals. Consider what it meant to master such skills, and who had the means to do so. Prints like this weren't just about horses; they were about power, social status, and the performance of class identity. Researching etiquette manuals, equestrian treatises, and social histories of the period could reveal more about the cultural context of this image.