Magere man met x-benen c. 1930s - 1940s

This pencil drawing of a skinny man with bowed legs is by Henk Henriët. Henriët, born in 1903, tragically died shortly after liberation in 1945. Here, a figure, possibly a character for the stage, is captured with a stark, almost grotesque realism. His exaggerated features and frail frame invite us to consider the position of the marginalized within society. We might reflect on the visual language used to depict those who exist outside of conventional beauty standards, or those who were considered 'other' in the societal landscape of Henriët's time. The drawing, with its raw lines, conveys a sense of vulnerability. The figure stands as a poignant reminder of the human condition, marked by both fragility and resilience. It’s an image that lingers in the mind, prompting reflections on identity, representation, and the stories we tell about ourselves and others.