Kolenwagen bij een poort 1809 - 1845

This is "Kolenwagen bij een poort" made by George Jooss. The dimensions of this artwork are 125 mm in height and 212 mm in width. The eye is drawn into a scene dominated by intricate line work, creating a tapestry of textures. The composition is anchored by the weighty form of the horse and wagon, framed by the rough archway of a stone gate. The artist contrasts the organic shapes of the horse, figure and branches with the geometry of the cartwheels and building. Jooss’s use of etching captures a moment of rustic labour but consider this image as more than a literal depiction. Through the structural organization of the image, we can also read a semiotic framework wherein the horse and wagon symbolize labour itself. It is a powerful metaphor for the socio-economic structures of his time. Note the tonal variations achieved through the density of lines, from the shadowy recesses under the arch to the brighter, open space beyond. It's in these formal qualities that Jooss transcends mere representation, offering a meditation on work and its place within the architecture of society.