Paardenhoofden en schetsen van soldaten 1773 - 1843

Editor: Here we have "Paardenhoofden en schetsen van soldaten," or "Horses' Heads and Sketches of Soldiers" by Georges Michel, created sometime between 1773 and 1843. It's a pencil drawing. It feels quite raw, like a study, but I'm intrigued by how the figures and animals seem to overlap. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a microcosm of societal power dynamics rendered through seemingly innocuous sketches. Look at the juxtaposition of the horses' heads, imposing and centrally located, with the smaller, more indistinct sketches of soldiers. Consider how Michel might be commenting on the roles of the military and the animals they used, within a societal structure built on hierarchy. What does this imply, do you think, about labour and social control? Editor: I guess it's easy to see the horse's power, as beasts of burden, next to the soldiers who would be dependent on them in battle. It makes you consider their interactions. Is it a sympathetic view of their co-dependence? Curator: Sympathy is a good starting point. Now consider the brutal realities of warfare during the period this was likely created. The Romantic period frequently idealized nature, but also saw industrial revolution. How might Michel be using these subjects to explore both themes? Are the horses symbols of raw natural power being exploited for human agendas? Editor: That's interesting, I hadn’t considered it that deeply. So the roughness of the sketch emphasizes the tension between romanticism and industrialization, reflecting on social inequality? Curator: Precisely. Art allows us to re-evaluate social structures, past and present. By engaging with these sketches, we open a dialogue on labor, class, and power – considerations vital even today. What new avenues does this open for you? Editor: I think it is about using our modern values to reinterpret artwork, seeing it as a commentary on something more timeless. Thank you!