Old farmer at the table (22 April 1907) 1907

Albrecht Anker created this drawing of an old farmer at the table on 22 April 1907. Anker has used a humble material, charcoal on paper, to capture the man’s worn face and weary posture. Charcoal, made from burnt wood, mirrors the farmer's connection to the earth. Notice the varying pressure of the artist’s hand, creating areas of deep shadow and delicate light. The visible strokes show the artist's process of building form, lending the image a sense of immediacy. The act of drawing itself emphasizes the labor involved in both art and agriculture. The farmer's weathered features and tired stance speak to a life of hard work, a life of manual labor much like the skilled handiwork involved in the art itself. This work invites us to reflect on the value of labor and the importance of considering the making in understanding its full meaning. It challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, reminding us that both are rooted in skill, dedication, and a deep connection to the material world.