Model van een wagen (mallejan) met plankje 1845

This is a wooden model of a wagon, or 'mallejan', crafted by H. Essen. The wagon presents a study in form, where the circularity of the wheels meets the linear stability of the planked body. The wood’s texture, rugged and untreated, gives a sense of the rudimentary, emphasizing function over ornamentation. The wheels, with their radial symmetry, play against the horizontal thrust of the wagon's frame, creating a visual tension. The geometric simplicity is deceptive; each shape contributes to an overall structural integrity. The object's aesthetic lies not in decoration but in the elegance of its utilitarian design. The use of unadorned wood introduces questions about material and purpose. The wagon isn't merely a representation but a statement about the essence of utility, stripped down to its most basic form.