Fanger fra Forbedringshuset 1833

This pencil and wash drawing, "Fanger fra Forbedringshuset," or "Inmates from the Workhouse" was made by Martinus Rørbye. The subtle rendering of the figures focuses on their clothes and features. Note the way Rørbye coaxes out form and personality using the simplest of means. The stark lines and muted tones capture the somber reality of life in the workhouse. Drawings like this were often preparatory, meaning that Rørbye was practicing the craft of observation and representation. In that sense, we can see it as a kind of labor – a way of working through ideas, honing technique, and preparing for more elaborate works. The drawing allows us to consider the lives of those who were caught in the system of social control. By focusing on materials, process, and context, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the social significance of this drawing. It challenges us to question the traditional boundaries between fine art and craft.