Visser in gesprek met twee mannen 1832 - 1897

This image, *Visser in gesprek met twee mannen,* was made by Alexander Ver Huell in the 19th century, using pen and ink on paper. A humble set of materials, perfectly suited to the direct, unpretentious character of this work. The artist has really made the most of line in this image; see how the density and direction of his strokes define the figures and the landscape. It is a relatively quick method of production, compared to painting or sculpture, allowing for a snapshot impression of the scene. But don’t let the seeming spontaneity fool you. Note how Ver Huell uses the crisp precision of pen work to describe the sharp contrast between the fisherman and the two sharply dressed men, with their shiny shoes. This contrast between the laboring classes and the new professional class, neatly captured in a simple drawing, speaks volumes about a society undergoing dramatic change. By carefully considering the materials and making, we start to grasp the image’s full social significance.