Mijnwerker met lamp en houweel 1878 - 1938

Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst's drawing depicts a miner with a lamp and pickaxe, its composition is defined by the circular boundary which encases the subject. Holst uses the contrast between light and shadow to give form to the miner, whose figure emerges starkly against the darker backdrop. The miner’s tools are presented with sharp, angular lines, emphasizing their utilitarian purpose. The overall structure of the composition, segmented into distinct shapes, suggests an exploration of form and function. Holst challenges the conventional representation of labor by simplifying the figure into an almost iconic form. His stylized representation moves beyond mere depiction, engaging with broader questions about the relationship between labor, identity, and representation. This artwork invites ongoing interpretation, and Holst invites us to reflect on the visual and cultural codes that inform our understanding of work and social identity.