Heiwerker met werktuigen over zijn schouder c. 1884 - 1887

Willem Witsen made this sketch, Heiwerker met werktuigen over zijn schouder, using graphite on paper. Witsen’s choice of such humble materials, a basic pencil and paper, serves to emphasize the everyday subject of his sketch. The rapid, gestural strokes suggest the movement of the worker, a fleeting moment captured on paper. Note how the weight of the tools is suggested by the angle of the worker’s body, as he is stooped slightly to carry the load. The tools themselves, though only lightly sketched, are an important part of the composition. They speak to the labor involved in building the Netherlands, and also suggest the skill and expertise required to use such tools effectively. In this, Witsen elevates the ordinary worker to a position of importance, highlighting the value of manual labor in a rapidly industrializing society. By focusing on the tools and the act of carrying them, Witsen invites us to consider the relationship between labor, materials, and the social fabric of everyday life.