An Indoor Military Riding School With an Instructor Teaching Recruits to Trot Charles Samuel Keene (1823-1891)

The drawing presents a scene within what appears to be a large, enclosed riding hall. The composition is dominated by figures on horseback, engaged in military training exercises. A central focus lies on two riders positioned prominently in the foreground; one seems to be an instructor guiding a recruit through the motions of trotting. Their postures and the angle of their bodies convey a sense of movement and controlled exertion.
The instructor, distinguished by his more formal attire – a tall, peaked hat and a structured jacket – stands slightly apart from the student, offering guidance with what appears to be a raised hand or gesture. The recruit’s posture is less assured, suggesting an ongoing learning process. He leans forward, attempting to maintain balance while coordinating his movements with the horses gait.
Further back in the hall, other figures on horseback are visible, though rendered with less detail, indicating their secondary role within the narrative. These individuals appear to be undergoing similar training exercises, contributing to a sense of collective discipline and order. The artist has used hatching and cross-hatching techniques to depict the forms, creating tonal variations that suggest volume and texture in both the horses and the figures’ clothing.
The architectural setting is suggested through a series of parallel lines representing the halls ceiling and walls. These lines are not precisely rendered, contributing to an overall impression of spaciousness rather than detailed accuracy. The lighting appears diffused, illuminating the scene evenly without strong contrasts.
Subtly embedded within this depiction of military training lies a commentary on the process of instruction and assimilation. The instructor embodies authority and experience, while the recruit represents potential and the need for guidance. The enclosed space itself symbolizes the controlled environment necessary for developing skills and instilling discipline. Theres an underlying tension between individual effort and collective purpose – the recruits striving to master their craft within a structured system. The drawing’s monochromatic palette reinforces this sense of formality and seriousness, emphasizing the gravity of military training.