Sleepboot op rivier 1860 - 1921

Adolf le Comte sketched "Sleepboot op rivier" with black chalk on paper, capturing a serene river scene. Le Comte, who lived through a transformative period in Dutch history, likely witnessed the burgeoning industrialization that redefined labor and landscape. The steam tugboat, central to the composition, embodies this shift, contrasting with the more traditional sailboats nearby. The use of black chalk gives a gritty realism to the scene, mirroring the often harsh realities of industrial labor. The bodies on the boats are reduced to dark shapes, perhaps suggesting the relative anonymity of the workers who powered these vessels. This artwork invites us to reflect on the emotional and social impact of industrial progress, capturing a moment where tradition and modernity meet, reshaping lives and landscapes.