Ein Arbeiter und eine Hand aus der _Großen Spinnerei von Edam_ c. 1894

Rudolf Gudden captured this worker and a hand from the Edam spinning factory using graphite on paper. Graphite, a humble material, is essentially processed carbon, leaving a trace of the artist’s hand on the paper. The choice of graphite emphasizes the direct, unvarnished depiction of labor. The sketch captures a worker in motion, perhaps operating machinery, while the disembodied hand looms behind him. We don't know how the drawing was made, but the speed and lightness of the marks are clear, and allow the artist to focus on form and gesture. It may be a study for a larger painting or print. The drawing itself becomes a document of the industrial revolution, hinting at the social context of labor and class, and the amount of physical work involved in the process of textile production. By focusing on the hand, Gudden brings into question the relationship between man and machine, and suggests we reflect on the human cost of industrial progress. It’s a great example of how a simple sketch can convey complex social and economic ideas.