Erlangen Students on Horseback 1811

Johann Adam Klein created this print, “Erlangen Students on Horseback,” in 1818. Klein lived through a period of significant political upheaval in Europe, including the Napoleonic Wars and the rise of nationalism. His work often reflected military life and the social activities of his time. Here we see students, likely from the University of Erlangen, engaged in a leisure activity that was also a display of social status. Equestrian activities were typically reserved for the upper classes, reflecting their wealth and privilege. The students' attire and the horses themselves indicate a certain level of affluence, setting them apart from the general populace. Consider how activities like horseback riding can create and reinforce social hierarchies. Klein's work provides a glimpse into the lives of a specific social group during a transformative period in European history. This image invites us to consider how leisure activities can be intertwined with identity, class, and the broader social fabric.