Hoofd van een paard, met hoofdstel en oogkleppen 1860 - 1892

Jan Vrolijk made this etching "Head of a Horse, with Bridle and Blinders" at an unknown date. This piece offers a glimpse into the labor practices of the 19th century. The horse, adorned with a bridle and blinders, embodies the complex relationship between humans and animals within systems of labor. These restraints—the bridle and blinders—speak volumes about control and direction. Vrolijk masterfully captures the stoicism of the animal; the horse's posture and muted expression invite us to consider its lived experience, its subjugation within a human-dominated world. What does it mean to harness another being for labor? And how does that act reflect broader societal structures of power and exploitation? This etching serves not only as a portrait of an animal, but as a mirror reflecting our own ethical considerations. It compels us to contemplate the emotional and physical burden placed on these animals, and to consider the implications of such dependency.