Figuren voor een stalletje 1875 - 1900

'Figuren voor een stalletje', or 'Figures for a stall', was created by Jan de Waardt in the late 19th or early 20th century using graphite. De Waardt lived and worked in a time of rapid social change, amidst growing concerns about poverty and labor conditions. This drawing depicts a group of people gathered around a makeshift stall, rendered in stark, almost somber tones. The figures, though anonymous, evoke a sense of vulnerability and perhaps, collective reliance. De Waardt’s choice of such a scene—removed from idealized landscapes—suggests an interest in representing the realities of marginalized communities. The use of a stall as a focal point is particularly potent, symbolizing both commerce and shelter, and raises questions about economic disparity and social support systems. The viewer is drawn into the scene, invited to reflect on their own position relative to those depicted. The emotional weight of the drawing rests in its portrayal of these figures, urging empathy and acknowledgment of their shared humanity.