Man, mogelijk een heiwerker c. 1884 - 1887

Willem Witsen made this drawing, possibly of a pile driver, using a pencil on paper. Notice how the composition, predominantly in light shades of grey, creates a sense of quietude, almost as if freezing a fleeting moment. The artist employs an economy of line, where each stroke seems deliberate, capturing the essence of the scene with minimal detail. Look at how Witsen uses shading to give form to the man's attire and equipment, focusing on texture to differentiate between materials. The rough strokes at the bottom could either serve as a grounding element or perhaps an afterthought, a visual echo. This drawing exemplifies the aesthetics of capturing the immediate, reflecting the broader artistic concerns of portraying everyday life with both authenticity and a touch of artistic introspection. It invites us to contemplate the relationship between the industrial and the individual.