Fotoreproductie van The Ruling Passion door Samuel Edmund Waller 1870 - 1900

This is an anonymous reproduction of Samuel Edmund Waller’s painting, “The Ruling Passion.” It offers us a glimpse into the world of late 19th-century British equestrian culture. The image encapsulates the social fabric of the time, highlighting the passion for horses that permeated all levels of society. Waller was known for portraying scenes of love, loyalty, and betrayal. This artwork offers a tableau of social class through its depiction of riders, grooms, and genteel spectators. The presence of both men and women, elegantly dressed, suggests a shared enthusiasm for equestrian events, yet their roles are clearly defined by gender and class. The composition invites you to reflect on the relationship between people and animals, the spectacle of sport, and the unspoken codes of social interaction. It presents a narrative not just of recreation, but also of the values and hierarchies that shaped the Victorian era.