Ardennes Horses 1822

Curator: This is Théodore Géricault’s "Ardennes Horses," a print held at the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes you first about it? Editor: There's a somber stillness to the scene. The horses are powerful, yet they seem burdened. It's a portrait of labor, almost. Curator: Indeed. Géricault was fascinated by the working class. The printmaking process itself – the labor of the engraver, the ink, the paper – speaks to the democratization of art. This wasn't oil paint for the elite. Editor: And let's consider the historical context. Géricault made this not long after the Napoleonic Wars. We're looking at the backbreaking labor that underpinned imperial ambition, the toll on both humans and animals. Curator: A poignant observation about the cost of progress and power. It makes you consider the ethical implications of our consumption. Editor: Exactly. It’s a stark reminder that history is not just about grand narratives, but about the lived experiences of those who are often overlooked. Curator: Seeing it through that lens definitely enriches the experience. Editor: Absolutely. It's an image that invites us to reflect on our own roles in perpetuating systems of labor and exploitation.