Wachtende rijtuigen, Londen c. 1880 - 1900

Willem Witsen made this artwork, "Waiting Carriages, London", with brush and ink on paper. The image evokes the social stratification of London at the turn of the 20th century. We see a row of horse-drawn carriages waiting in the rain, presumably for their wealthy passengers. The scene speaks to the opulence enjoyed by some, enabled by the labor of others. Witsen was Dutch, but his choice of subject matter and style reflects a broader European interest in urban life, particularly the gritty realities of industrial cities like London. One could look at the writings of Charles Dickens or the paintings of Gustave Caillebotte to find similar themes. The lack of vibrant color reinforces the somber mood, perhaps a subtle critique of the social inequalities that were part of everyday life. Historians of art and society can use such images as a point of departure for understanding the social dynamics of the time. We can research census data, newspaper articles, and other primary sources to better understand this period and the artist's place within it.