Man en zijn ezel 1882

This etching, Man and his Donkey, was made by Frans Simons. Here, the incised lines create a velvety texture and tonal range. The artist would have used a sharp needle to draw directly into a metal plate, then the plate was inked and printed, leaving an image of the man and his donkey. The texture and shading suggest the rough clothes of the man. Note the contrast between the soft fur of the donkey and the rough-hewn wooden cart, and the delicate lines defining the man’s face and worn clothing. These details imply a hard life of labor. The act of creating an etching is a labor-intensive process, mirroring the long hours that often define working-class existence. Recognizing the artistry in both the making and the subject helps us see how Simons elevated an everyday scene into a poignant statement about the human condition.