Man en vrouw en twee obers c. 1900

Johann Georg van Caspel created 'Man en vrouw en twee obers', or 'Man and woman and two waiters', as a reflection on Dutch society during a time of significant social change. Born in 1870, he witnessed the industrial revolution, urbanization, and the emergence of a more defined class structure. This image captures a slice of bourgeois life, a world marked by new wealth, leisure, and the ever-present performance of class distinctions. We see a stylishly dressed couple in the foreground and two waiters in the background. The composition highlights the social hierarchy of the time, where one's position dictated their role and visibility. The couple seems to be going somewhere. The image reflects an emotional disconnect, perhaps symbolizing the emotional distance created by class differences. Van Caspel invites us to consider the complexities of identity, history, and the emotional landscapes shaped by social structures.