Standing men presenting a horse before a group of seated men 1707 - 1783

Jacques Philippe Le Bas created this engraving titled, *Standing men presenting a horse before a group of seated men*, in France sometime between 1707 and 1783. The artwork offers a glimpse into 18th-century French society, marked by rigid class structures and the dominance of the aristocracy. Here, the presentation of a horse becomes a stage for displaying social status. The standing men, who are presumably horse traders, present the animal to a group of seated men, all of whom are dressed in the fashion of the aristocracy. What power dynamics are at play in the scene? Who holds authority, and how is it performed? Who is included and who is excluded? Le Bas, as an artist, was part of a system that catered to the tastes and interests of the wealthy elite. The image reinforces a sense of the established order. The emotional dimensions of this artwork are complex, as it speaks to the human desire for social mobility. In the end, the artwork serves as both a reflection and a perpetuation of societal norms.