Twee mannen in gesprek in een koffiehuis c. 1834 - 1836

Henry Wallis sketched "Two Men Conversing in a Coffee House". Consider the coffee house as a social arena, a place where class dynamics played out through discussions about politics and science, as we can see from the poster on the wall. Wallis captures a moment of intellectual exchange, yet also hints at underlying social tensions. The man seated at the table appears to be a working man, given his attire and the fact that he is taking a rest while reading. In contrast, the standing man seems better off. The way they present themselves, in their clothing and gestures, speaks volumes about their respective positions. What does it mean to engage with knowledge when access and interpretation are shaped by your social standing? The emotional weight of this scene lies in its subtle commentary on the politics of knowledge and the unspoken barriers that divide people. This work develops an alternative narrative around knowledge and class, rather than maintaining traditional representations.