Rokende man in kelder bij kaarslicht 1842

Charles Jacque's etching, "Rokende man in kelder bij kaarslicht" (Smoking Man in a Cellar by Candlelight), depicts a lone figure hunched over in a dimly lit space. The artist captures the solitary scene with striking realism, employing a delicate stipple technique to render the man's form and the textured walls of his surroundings. Jacque's emphasis on light and shadow further contributes to the moody atmosphere. The small size of the etching, only 95mm by 61mm, suggests an intimate and contemplative approach, inviting viewers to consider the solitary experience of the figure. This work, created in 1842, reflects Jacque's penchant for capturing the lives of ordinary people in their daily routines.