Stevedore 1940

Harry Brodsky made this drawing, “Stevedore”, in 1940. The Great Depression still haunted the US, a period marked by widespread unemployment, poverty, and social upheaval. With thoughtful lines, Brodsky renders a working man’s weariness as he pauses for a drink. The stevedore’s gaze is knowing, his clothes worn, his hands calloused. These details create an intimate portrait of a man who labors for a living, which was a theme that resonated deeply during the 1930s and 40s. The stevedore’s identity is complex: a man defined by his work, his class, and the historical moment he inhabits. Consider how Brodsky’s image departs from traditional representations of labor. Rather than glorifying work, he captures a moment of quiet dignity. The drawing invites us to reflect on the lives of everyday people whose experiences often go unacknowledged. Brodsky compels us to consider the human cost of labor, and the quiet moments of respite that sustain us.