Employment 1870 - 1891

Charles Samuel Keene created this artwork titled 'Employment' using graphite and brown wash on paper. The two figures stand in stark contrast; one leans on a walking stick. This symbol of support and dependence has appeared throughout art history, from images of the elderly in ancient Roman frescoes to depictions of saints, such as Saint Roch, patron saint of plague victims, who is often shown with a staff. The walking stick signifies not just physical frailty, but also resilience and endurance through hardship. In contrast, the other figure stands tall, but his hunched demeanor speaks of a kind of invisible burden. Both share a common hat. Hats, historically, have denoted status and identity, or concealing it, acting as both shield and mask. Here, in 'Employment', the hats obscure their faces, suggesting a loss of individual identity within the collective struggle. The simple act of obscuring one's face becomes a potent symbol of anonymity and dehumanization. These men, united and divided, are a testament to the enduring human struggle for dignity and survival.