Twee dronkaards op straat 1824 - 1853

Ernst Buschmann created this print, “Two Drunkards on the Street,” in the Netherlands at an undetermined time. The scene depicts two men, visibly intoxicated, struggling to maintain balance. The setting appears to be an urban street. The artwork's focus on the lower classes reflects broader social concerns of the 19th century. Urbanization and industrialization led to increased visibility of poverty and related social issues, such as alcoholism. Buschmann's print comments on these issues, using imagery that would have been familiar to the urban population of the Netherlands. The men’s disheveled appearance and lack of decorum stand in stark contrast to the values of respectability upheld by the middle and upper classes. The artist seems to critique the social problems of his time. Historical research into the social conditions and class structures of the Netherlands in the 19th century can give us a better understanding of the artwork. This deeper understanding can help us grasp the social implications embedded within this seemingly simple street scene.