Tekening c. 1775

This drawing by H. Rolland, presents a scene of laborers carrying various objects. It’s rendered with watercolor on paper, a portable medium which lends itself to the creation of images on the move. The even application of color and the focus on linear precision suggests that the artist may have been trained in a tradition of drafting or technical illustration. Note how the figures are depicted in profile, emphasizing the repetitive nature of their task, and evoking the long hours and physical demands of manual labor. The drawing also evokes the cultural context of work; the coordinated movement of the figures suggests a social structure. Moreover, the use of watercolor – a relatively accessible material – underscores the accessibility of image-making itself. It connects this artwork to the wider world of labor, not only showing it but also reflecting the same principles of economy and efficiency. This reminds us that all forms of making, from the most mundane to the most artistic, are intertwined with the realities of labor and production.