Harddraverij te 's-Gravenhage Possibly 1851 - 1859

Willem de Famars Testas made this drawing of a harness race at The Hague with pencil and watercolor. The date, ‘1851,’ is inscribed on the work. Here we see a scene of recreation, but one that is carefully managed and controlled by social institutions. Note the military men who seem to be monitoring the event, and the elevated stand in the background. It's likely that a select group of society, the upper class, would be seated in a privileged viewing position. Harness racing was a popular pastime, but it also functioned as a highly regulated spectacle. We see a cultural moment that reflects the economic structures of the Netherlands in the mid-19th century, a time of growing urbanism and a bourgeoisie with money to spend on leisure activities. By studying such images, the historian can access valuable information about the social hierarchies and cultural values of the past. Contemporary newspapers, city directories, and organizational records can help us to see the ways in which such scenes were actively shaped by social forces.