Schets van een man met een draagmand op zijn rug 1837 - 1886

This sketch of a man with a carrying basket on his back, was made by Maxime Lalanne in the 19th century using graphite. Lalanne lived through a time of significant social and economic change in France, including the rise of industrialization and urbanization. These transformations led to new class structures and social inequalities. Here, Lalanne offers us a glimpse into the life of a working-class man, a member of the laboring population that fueled the era's economic expansion. The man’s posture, bent under the weight, speaks volumes about the physical demands and hardships endured by many during this period. Consider the quiet dignity in his stance, a subtle form of resistance to the anonymity often imposed on the working class. This image quietly acknowledges the contributions and struggles of those whose labor literally carried society forward, inviting us to reflect on the human cost of progress and the enduring quest for recognition and respect.