Twee opgetuigde paarden 1822 - 1845

This detailed drawing, titled "Twee opgetuigde paarden," which translates to "Two harnessed horses," is an anonymous work at the Rijksmuseum created with pen and brush in gray. The cultural significance of horses in labor history is undeniable; these animals were essential to transport and agriculture before mechanization. While the artist remains unknown, the level of detail suggests an intimate familiarity with the animal, its musculature and its trappings. The drawing evokes the complex relationships between humans and animals, labor, and representation. The image invites questions about how we assign value and dignity, not just to each other but to the animals that share our world. What does it mean to dignify labor? To aestheticize it? The emotional resonance of this drawing lies in its quiet acknowledgement of the laboring animal's presence and the now often-forgotten role these animals played in shaping our societies.