Staande man met een mand, op de rug gezien 1846

Pieter van Loon made this pencil drawing of a man with a basket in 1846. It captures the everyday life of the working class in the Netherlands during the 19th century. Consider how the image invites us to reflect on the social structures of its time. The man, seen from behind, is dressed in simple clothing, suggesting he belongs to the working class. The basket on his back is likely filled with goods for sale or transport, indicating his labor. His nonchalant posture, with a pipe in his mouth, shows his quiet resistance to the rigid social expectations of the Biedermeier period. By studying historical documents, economic data, and social commentaries, we can gain deeper insights into the artist's intentions and the artwork's significance within its specific time and place.