Straatweg met ruiters op de weg en rechts bomen 1773 - 1843

Georges Michel created this pencil drawing, "Straatweg met ruiters op de weg en rechts bomen," capturing a road scene with riders and trees. Michel was born in Paris, just before the French Revolution, a period of immense social and political upheaval which questioned traditional hierarchies. With loose strokes, he captures the landscape and ordinary figures, focusing on the lives of everyday people. The riders and trees provide a glimpse into the social structure of the time. Horses were historically associated with wealth and status, while the trees perhaps symbolize nature's indifference to human affairs. Michel challenged the artistic norms of his time, choosing less grandiose subjects. His landscapes reflected a shift in values, one that moved away from aristocratic portraiture toward more inclusive representations. The drawing evokes a sense of calm. Michel invites us to reflect on the transient nature of social status, and the enduring presence of the natural world.