Negende slede (The Ninth Sleigh) - Abraham Delfos

A detailed eighteenth-century illustration by Abraham Delfos depicting a ceremonial sleigh featuring an allegorical figure of Justice.

This work by Abraham Delfos, a Dutch engraver and draughtsman, depicts a ceremonial sleigh procession. The composition features a central figure of Justice, blindfolded and holding scales, seated within an ornate green and gold sleigh. She is accompanied by two figures in formal attire, one wearing a traditional ruff collar. The sleigh is pulled by a dark horse adorned with elaborate, decorative trappings in red and gold. The scene is presented against a stark, neutral background, typical of eighteenth-century illustrative prints that focus on the specific details of costume and pageantry.

Delfos was active in Leiden and produced a variety of works documenting the social and civic life of the period. This particular image belongs to a series documenting a sleigh parade, a popular winter pastime for the Dutch elite during the eighteenth century. These processions allowed participants to display their wealth through the design of their sleighs and the quality of their horses. The inclusion of allegorical figures like Justice suggests that this specific sleigh was part of a themed pageant or a formal civic event rather than a casual outing.

The print demonstrates the technical precision of Delfos, with fine etched lines defining the contours of the figures and the horse, while the application of watercolour provides a clear distinction between the materials of the sleigh, the clothing, and the harness. The composition is balanced and lateral, reflecting the orderly nature of the procession. The work provides a window into the aesthetic preferences of the Dutch upper classes, where classical symbolism was frequently integrated into public displays of status. The attention to the texture of the horse's tack and the folds of the garments reveals the artist's interest in observational accuracy and the documentation of contemporary customs.