Paarden worden aan de tanden behandeld 1708 - 1767

Editor: Here we have "Paarden worden aan de tanden behandeld," or "Horses Having Their Teeth Treated," an engraving by Johann Elias Ridinger, dating somewhere between 1708 and 1767. The composition is very active, full of figures working on these massive animals. It feels almost unsettling to look at, especially considering our contemporary view of animal care. How would you interpret this work, thinking about it in its own time? Curator: What strikes me is the symbol of dominion over nature. Horses, throughout history, represent power, freedom, and virility. Yet here, we see them subjected to a rather invasive procedure. The print captures a very specific ritual, doesn’t it? Reflect on the placement of the horse in the stocks – like a criminal. Is this control progress or violation? Editor: That's a compelling point. It seems to emphasize human authority. But I wonder about the seemingly ordinary landscape surrounding the event. What does the backdrop contribute? Curator: Precisely. The bucolic landscape is contrasted by the brutality. Are we meant to view this act as part of the natural order, a necessary aspect of animal husbandry? This engraving speaks to a relationship, steeped in tradition and practicality. What continuities do you see in our own contemporary treatment of animals, however seemingly different? Editor: I hadn’t considered those contrasts. I guess this forces us to consider what we consider to be normal practices now, and how future generations might judge them. Thank you! Curator: A fruitful inquiry, indeed. Every symbol opens multiple avenues for exploration.