Arbeider in staalfabriek 1871 - 1906

This is a drawing by Pieter de Josselin de Jong, titled "Worker in a Steel Factory". It’s made with black and white chalk on paper, likely created on site in the steel factory itself. The choice of chalk is significant here, it’s a medium that allows for quick, expressive marks, capturing the fleeting movements and atmosphere of the industrial setting. Look closely, and you can see how the artist uses broad strokes to convey the figure’s muscularity and the weight of their labor. The limited palette of black and white emphasizes the stark, grimy reality of factory work, hinting at the social and economic conditions of the time. De Jong's engagement with this subject matter elevates the everyday experience of labor to a subject worthy of artistic attention, challenging traditional hierarchies between fine art and depictions of working-class life. Through his deliberate use of materials and mark-making, the artist invites us to consider the humanity and dignity of the steelworker.