Schoorsteenveger steekt zijn pijp aan before 1909

"Schoorsteenveger steekt zijn pijp aan" (Chimney Sweep Lights His Pipe) is an etching by Belgian artist Florimond Buyck, created before 1909. The artwork depicts a chimney sweep in a realistic style, with detailed rendering of his clothing and the soot on his face. This etching is a fine example of Buyck's work, known for its social commentary and its focus on the lives of working-class people. This print captures the hardship and grit of the chimney sweep's daily life. The composition features a lone figure, the chimney sweep, in a simple setting. The print's monochrome palette and the artist's use of hatching and cross-hatching enhance the realism and texture of the subject. Buyck's work was often featured in exhibitions and publications, contributing to a wider understanding of social realities in 19th-century Belgium.