Heiwerker met een spade over de schouder c. 1884 - 1887

Willem Witsen sketched this image of a pile driver with a spade over his shoulder in pencil sometime between 1880 and 1923. Witsen came from a wealthy background, yet he was interested in depicting the lives of laborers. He brings our attention to those who often remain unseen. This simple sketch is more than just a portrayal of a worker. It reflects broader societal structures. The worker is seen with his back turned and head bowed. Is he moving on to the next job, or is he a symbol of the working class’s burden? The emotional weight of manual labor is etched into the very lines of this work, prompting us to consider the human cost behind societal progress.