Het hobbelpaard 1833 - 1856

The Brothers Van Kapel created this print, "The Rocking Horse," using etching, and hand coloring. Here, we see a young man, elegantly dressed, astride a white rocking horse. The print, likely intended for children, hints at the complex intersection of play, gender, and class. The young man’s attire mirrors the fashion of the Dutch elite, reflecting the social class for which such toys were intended. The rocking horse itself, adorned with decorative elements, suggests a world of leisure and privilege, sharply contrasting with the lives of the working class. The choice to depict a male figure is also telling. Equestrian sports have long been associated with masculinity, and this image subtly reinforces those norms. "The Rocking Horse" reflects both the aspirations and the imposed roles of its young audience, inviting us to consider the quiet ways cultural expectations take root.