De Notenkraker, 21 september 1907 / In het Volkskoffiehuis "De Ned. Leeuw" Possibly 1907 - 1921

This lithograph by Albert Hahn, called "De Notenkraker," from 1907, pulls you into a moment, right? You can almost smell the coffee. Imagine Hahn sketching this scene in a busy coffeehouse. The fine lines creating texture, the light and shadow giving depth. You can see the artist's hand moving, capturing the weariness on the man's face and the waiter's subtle amusement. It's not just observation, it's a story unfolding. I love the economy of the mark-making, how he suggests so much with so little. It reminds me of Daumier, that sense of social critique mixed with human empathy. Hahn, like many artists, was probably thinking about tradition, about how to tell stories through images in a new way. This little drawing feels like a larger conversation, an ongoing exchange about how we see and represent the world. It's a reminder that art isn't just about perfection, it's about the messy, human act of trying to capture a moment.