Man met een pet Possibly 1871 - 1872

Cornelis Springer created this drawing of a man with a cap, using graphite on paper. Springer lived during a time of significant social change, witnessing the rise of industrialization and urbanization in the Netherlands. This study of a man in working clothes gives us insight into the lives of the working class during the 19th century. The loose strokes convey a sense of movement and the everyday, and the detailed rendering of the clothing acknowledges his belonging to the working class. The man’s identity is tied to his labor. Through this drawing, Springer offers an intimate, unidealized glimpse into the life of a common laborer, inviting us to reflect on the human experience of work and identity during a transformative period in history.