Twee mannen bij een muur 1781 - 1822

"Twee mannen bij een muur," or "Two Men by a Wall," was etched by Hermanus Fock sometime between 1786 and 1822. Fock lived during a time of massive social upheaval and revolution. His art captured the social classes and daily life in the Netherlands during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This small etching depicts two men in an intimate moment by a tree, one sitting while the other stands with a stick. The figures are presented in a way that seems to highlight the bonds between men during a period of changing social norms. Fock's depiction of these figures invites us to consider the quiet moments of connection between men, at a time when male identity was closely tied to civic duty and social roles. This piece reflects both the broader social changes and the personal experiences of individuals navigating a world in transition.