Eénentwintig voorstellingen van Russische koetsen 1833

Bernard Édouard Swebach created "Eénentwintig voorstellingen van Russische koetsen," or "Twenty-one Depictions of Russian Carriages," sometime in the 19th century. This collection of images offers a glimpse into the world of transportation and status in 19th-century Russia. Carriages were not merely vehicles; they were potent symbols of wealth and power. Swebach’s renderings capture the variety of carriages, each suited to different purposes and social classes, from humble carts to elaborate coaches. The images are more than just documentation; they reflect the socio-economic structures of the time. The figures accompanying the carriages, whether drivers or passengers, hint at the complex relationships of labor and leisure. Swebach’s detailed depictions invite us to reflect on how modes of transportation shape our perceptions of distance, time, and social standing. The artwork creates a space to consider the human stories embedded in these modes of transport.