At the Employment Office 1870 - 1891

Charles Samuel Keene made this drawing, "At the Employment Office," sometime in the late 19th century, using ink on paper. A seemingly simple medium, ink can achieve remarkable effects through variation in pressure, speed, and layering. Look closely and you can see the rapid, sure strokes that build up the scene, giving a sense of depth and texture to the figures’ clothing and the room's furnishings. Keene's technique, with its emphasis on line and tonal contrast, draws attention to the scene's social dynamics. The physical labor that the artist put into the drawing mirrors the labor that the young girl is seeking. The artist's choice of ink as a medium is also significant. It was an accessible, inexpensive material, aligning with the everyday subject matter. By elevating this common scene through his skilled draftsmanship, Keene blurs the lines between high art and the realities of working-class life. The drawing invites us to consider how art can reflect and engage with the broader social and economic context of its time.