De Notenkraker, 30 november 1907 / Werkloosheid Possibly 1907 - 1930

Editor: This is a drawing titled *De Notenkraker, 30 november 1907 / Werkloosheid* by Albert Hahn, potentially made between 1907 and 1930. It seems to be a print on paper. The mood feels quite somber and poignant. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The enduring power of Hahn’s image resides in its stark juxtaposition. Look closely. We see a well-dressed man gazing into a brightly lit restaurant. The window acts as a symbolic barrier, visually separating him from warmth, sustenance, and community. Editor: Yes, there's a real sense of exclusion. The figures inside seem oblivious to the man outside. Curator: Exactly. It’s a loaded symbol – the restaurant embodies privilege and indifference. The title, *Werkloosheid* – Unemployment – combined with the date 1907, tells us about societal anxieties brewing in the Netherlands at that time, and reverberates with contemporary resonance. Consider also the text beneath: “They lost money there and I must starve for it!” Hahn clearly felt the suffering and injustice, evidenced by his graphic style resembling Expressionism, a modern style that embodies psychological impact through visual means. The drawing conveys both hopelessness and a quiet, simmering rage, doesn’t it? What do you make of the perspective he chose? Editor: I see how it is really effective, framing the restaurant scene almost like a stage, emphasizing the separation from the unemployed man. This makes me consider my own perspective and position in society. Curator: And perhaps that’s the point: the image, laden with symbolism, prompts reflection. We are all part of this continuing story. Editor: It really makes you think about the social divides and how those visual cues resonate even now. Curator: Absolutely, and by seeing them we give these symbols new life and encourage new cultural memories and continuities to be born.