Engels huurkoets en paardentuig in Falmouth 1778

Jan Brandes sketched this 'English Hackney Carriage and Horse Harness in Falmouth' with pen and ink around the late 18th or early 19th century. The detailed rendering of the carriage and harness offers insight into the visual culture of travel and transportation in England at the time. Brandes, a Dutch artist, was likely documenting the material culture he encountered during his travels. Falmouth, a significant port town, would have been a hub for such carriages, serving both locals and travelers. The presence of a coat of arms above the horse hints at aristocratic or official use, reflecting social hierarchies. This drawing provides a glimpse into the everyday lives of people during the Enlightenment, an era defined by the rise of a public sphere. Diaries, letters, and travelogues from the period could shed further light on the social function of these carriages. The history of art is always contingent on these contextual factors.