Horse Training c. 18th century

Editor: This is "Horse Training," by Robert Daudet, made sometime in the 18th or 19th century. It’s an engraving of horses being trained, and it feels very much of its time. What social dynamics do you see at play here? Curator: Well, look at the power dynamics inherently depicted in this image. The very act of “training” suggests a hierarchical structure, reflecting broader societal norms. Who benefits from this display of control over nature? Editor: That’s true; I hadn't considered it that way. It makes me think about class and who had the resources to train horses. Curator: Precisely. And the landscape itself, cultivated and managed, reinforces this narrative of dominance. The horse serves a purpose, but for whom? Editor: It's unsettling to think about the subjugation embedded within something that, on the surface, seems like a simple scene. Curator: Exactly. By questioning these seemingly benign images, we uncover the ideologies they subtly promote. It’s a reflection of a world built on inequality.