Drie gravende heiwerkers c. 1884 - 1887

Willem Witsen made this charcoal drawing, Three Digging Navvies, in the late 19th or early 20th century. The eye is immediately drawn to the concentration of dark charcoal lines forming the central figure. The worker's inverted position, head below feet, challenges our sense of perspective, destabilizing conventional viewpoints. Witsen uses charcoal to create a stark contrast between the dark, dense shadows and the lighter, untouched paper. The heavy, rough strokes give a sense of the laborious physical effort involved in digging. The composition, with its focus on a single, off-balance figure, disrupts traditional notions of harmony and balance. This artistic choice reflects a broader engagement with the realities of labor. By manipulating perspective and using a raw, expressive medium, Witsen draws attention to the difficult conditions of the working class. It invites us to reconsider the established artistic and social norms of his time.