Man die een paard bestijgt met behulp van stijgbeugels before 1889

Curator: Here we have a print titled "Man die een paard bestijgt met behulp van stijgbeugels," dating from before 1889. It's attributed to an anonymous artist and currently resides in the Rijksmuseum collection. What are your initial thoughts? Editor: It has a stillness, almost like a captured moment in time. I'm struck by the contrast between the detail in the horse and rider, and the almost nondescript background. How do you interpret the historical context of an image like this? Curator: Well, consider the social function. It appears within the pages of an equestrian manual - based on the presence of explanatory text opposite the image. So its value isn't purely aesthetic. The anonymous nature speaks volumes about the image’s purpose – as documentation rather than artistic expression. Photography was increasingly being used to disseminate knowledge widely at this time. What does this say about the social perception of art at this moment? Editor: That’s fascinating! I hadn’t considered it as primarily informational. So the politics of imagery come into play here – mass production meets social instruction, which opens up questions about class, who had access to riding, or sought instruction… Curator: Precisely. Also consider the evolving role of museums and galleries as institutions of learning and societal influence at the time. Did seeing photographs such as these prompt anyone to visit museums to expand on their learning of equitation through seeing a painting, perhaps? Editor: I hadn't really considered its location in a larger field. Thinking about photography's role in documenting everyday life versus, say, its elevated position in art galleries, helps me look at images from the past differently. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure. Hopefully, looking at art through the lens of historical function rather than just aesthetics gives one new understanding.