The Celebrated Four in Hand Stallion Team 1857

Currier and Ives made this lithograph depicting a horse-drawn carriage, likely in the late 19th century in the United States. It captures a moment of leisure and display, reflecting the values and aspirations of a particular social class. The image presents visual codes of wealth and status. The four-in-hand team of black horses, the elegant carriage, and the formal attire of the passengers all convey a sense of affluence. This print would have been very popular amongst the upper-middle class, who saw themselves reflected in this image of social mobility. The rise of industrial capitalism created a new class of wealthy individuals. They had the means to acquire luxury goods and leisure activities and they also had a desire to see themselves represented in art. To fully appreciate this artwork, one might delve into archives to find the social and economic factors that shaped its production and reception. What specific industries fueled the rise of the class depicted? How did institutions like art galleries and print shops cater to their tastes and aspirations?