Man bekijkt een boek 1875 - 1926

François Courboin created this sketch, 'Man bekijkt een boek' using pen and black ink. The composition centres on a figure in profile, balanced between the vertical lines of his tall hat and cane, against the horizontal lines of the book stall. The subject's patterned trousers disrupt the composition, drawing the eye down. The stark white space of the paper isolates the figure, lending a sense of detached observation to the image. This work offers a glimpse into the cultural milieu of Courboin's time, reflecting the rise of the 'flâneur'— the detached urban observer. The figure's sartorial choices signify class and status, while the act of reading, framed within the public space, speaks to the democratization of knowledge. This piece embodies a subtle critique of social norms and behaviours. The artist's chosen medium, with its stark contrasts and delicate lines, reinforces the artwork's thematic concerns, inviting continuous interpretation.