Rijkeluiszoontje gekleed in deftig pak 1890s - 1900s

Jan de Waardt made this pen drawing called 'Rich man's son dressed in a smart suit', though undated, it reflects the cultural milieu of the late 19th century. De Waardt, who lived from 1871 to 1909, was part of a society undergoing rapid industrialization and shifts in class structure. The drawing presents a young man in formal attire, a symbol of wealth and social status. He is presented in two different poses: standing and seated. The contrast highlights the performative aspects of class identity, where even casual poses are carefully constructed. Notice the almost melancholic expression and posture in both figures. De Waardt's own background is an interesting point of reflection. Coming from a family of modest means, his depictions of bourgeois life are imbued with a sense of observation and perhaps detachment. The work invites us to reflect on how identity is shaped by social expectations and material conditions. The artist captures the emotional ambivalence of a young man coming of age in a world defined by rigid social norms.