Steigerende witte hengst 1785 - 1837

Ernst Willem Jan Bagelaar created this print, "Steigerende witte hengst," or "Rearing White Stallion," sometime between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Bagelaar was working during a period of social upheaval, as revolutions in America and France challenged old systems of power. At the time, equine imagery was typically reserved for depictions of war, or of wealthy men on hunts, so it's interesting to see the animal as the sole focus here. The rearing stance is powerful, full of contained energy. Yet there's something a little melancholic about this solitary stallion, trapped between the rocks and trees. Is he longing to escape? Perhaps Bagelaar, living in a time of revolution, felt similarly constrained. Consider how this image resonates today, in a world still grappling with issues of freedom, identity, and belonging.