Sanitation Man 1939 - 1940

This is Franz Kline's delicate pencil sketch, "Sanitation Man". Kline, known for his large, bold abstractions, here offers a glimpse into the everyday, capturing a worker amidst the urban landscape. It's hard not to consider the social context of labor when looking at this drawing. There's a quiet dignity in Kline's portrayal; the worker isn't romanticized, yet his presence is acknowledged with respect. Kline, working in a period of significant social change, seems to quietly honor the unsung individuals who maintain the city's fabric. How does this seemingly simple sketch resonate with Kline's larger body of abstract expressionist work? While different in style, both capture an energy. In the sketch, this energy comes from the life and movement of the city. It’s a testament to Kline’s ability to find dynamism in both the grand and the mundane, inviting us to reflect on the human element within abstract spaces.