Eigenaar van fabriek bij overleden vrouw van een arbeider 1875 - 1900

Jan de Waardt made this drawing, "Owner of Factory with Deceased Wife of a Laborer," in the Netherlands, at the turn of the 20th century. It likely appeared in a satirical magazine, judging by its caricatural style and polemical subject. The image depicts a confrontation between a grieving working-class man and a well-fed factory owner, next to the corpse of the worker's wife. De Waardt uses strong contrasts to highlight the social disparities between the two men. The owner's expensive suit and complacent demeanor contrast with the worker's coarse sweater and accusatory stance. This stark imagery is reminiscent of the progressive art of the time, particularly in Germany and France, which often sought to expose the injustices of industrial capitalism. Examining Dutch social and economic history can shed light on the specifics of this image. It is important to consider what types of factories existed in the Netherlands at this time, and whether their owners were typically so detached from the working conditions of their employees.