Fr 044 A Cuban Tobacco-Planter in his Volante FredericRemington sqs Frederick Remington (1861-1909)

The drawing presents a scene of motion and social hierarchy within what appears to be a colonial setting. Here we see a large volante, a type of open carriage common in Cuba, being pulled by four horses at considerable speed. The horses are rendered with dynamic energy; their musculature is emphasized through cross-hatching, conveying a sense of power and urgency. Their hooves kick up dust, further contributing to the impression of rapid movement.
Two men occupy the volante. One, presumably the owner or a person of authority, sits upright in the driver’s seat, wearing a hat and holding the reins with a firm grip. His posture suggests control and dominance. A second man is seated within the carriage itself, his body angled slightly towards the viewer, but his expression remains unreadable. The positioning of these figures reinforces a clear distinction between those who command and those who are served or accompanied.
The background is sparsely detailed, consisting primarily of a flat horizon line punctuated by what appear to be palm trees in the distance. This simplification directs the viewer’s attention towards the central action – the movement of the horses and carriage – and subtly emphasizes the vastness of the landscape, potentially alluding to the scale of the agricultural enterprise that sustains this mode of transportation.
The artists use of black ink on white paper creates a stark contrast, amplifying the drama of the scene. The cross-hatching technique is employed not only to depict form but also to suggest texture and light, adding depth and visual interest.
Subtly embedded within the image are implications about power dynamics and colonial life. The speed of the carriage might symbolize the rapid pace of commerce or the urgency of maintaining control over a plantation system. The presence of the two men in the volante speaks to a social structure built on hierarchy and labor, where some individuals benefit from the efforts of others who remain largely unseen. While seemingly straightforward, the drawing invites consideration of the broader context of colonial exploitation and the visual representation of social order within that framework.