Lopende man met een touw 1760 - 1825

Simon Andreas Krausz made this small drawing, "Lopende man met een touw," using what appears to be sanguine chalk on paper. The rough, absorbent quality of the paper gives the chalk a soft, almost blurred effect, creating a sense of immediacy. This directness offers a glimpse into Krausz's working process, and the qualities of the material – the earthiness of the chalk, the simple texture of the paper – connect the artwork to elemental processes. The drawing's social significance lies in its depiction of labor, as the figure is actively pulling a rope, engaged in some kind of work. Krausz's choice of such humble materials suggests that the work itself, not the refinement of execution, was his primary concern. By emphasizing the significance of materials, making, and context, we recognize the importance of expanding the boundaries of traditional art history and challenging distinctions between high art and craft.