Staande man met fles in de hand 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat sketched this standing man holding a bottle in his hand with graphite. Tavenraat lived through a period of significant social change, including the rise of industrialization and urbanization in the Netherlands. The sketch offers a glimpse into the life of an ordinary working-class man of the time. The man's attire, including his hat and simple clothing, suggests his social standing and perhaps his occupation. The bottle in his hand implies dependence, inviting a dialogue about addiction, class, and social alienation. We see this figure caught in a moment of pause. Tavenraat may have meant to show the cyclical nature of day-to-day life. He may have meant to imply that habits and dependencies are not something that always disappear easily. The drawing reflects broader societal issues related to labor, poverty, and addiction, while also capturing the emotional and personal dimensions of the man's existence.