Rider and boy with lantern 1797

This print, Rider and Boy with Lantern, was made by Adam von Bartsch in Austria in the late 18th or early 19th century. The print depicts an equestrian figure accompanied by a boy holding a lantern. The image creates meaning through its visual codes: the darkness surrounding the figures creates an atmosphere of mystery and perhaps danger, the boy holding a lantern becomes a symbol of hope and guidance, and the figures are placed in the center of the frame which causes a feeling of significance. The print reflects the cultural interest in romanticism that was current at the time it was made and comments on the social structures of its time by depicting two figures who appear to be from different social classes, and may be conservative. Historians use a variety of research resources to better understand art like this. These include archival documents, period publications, and other historical materials that can provide insight into the social and institutional context in which the artwork was made.