Hesten "Turcmainatti" 1795

Meno Haas made this engraving, "Hesten 'Turcmainatti'," which translates to "The Horse 'Turkmen'," presumably in Denmark, sometime around the late 18th or early 19th century. Here, Haas presents us not just with an image of a horse, but a portrait of status and power in the Age of Enlightenment. The Turkmen horse breed was prized for its speed and endurance, qualities highly valued by the aristocracy for transportation, sport, and warfare. The horse is meticulously rendered, its muscular build and elegant stance showcased against a backdrop of cultivated fields and distant hills, implying land ownership. Prints like these circulated among a wealthy elite, reinforcing a culture of admiration for bloodlines and landed gentry. By understanding the historical context, we can better interpret the image not merely as a depiction of an animal, but as a reflection of the social hierarchies and values of its time. Researching stud books, agricultural practices, and even estate records, might tell us more.