Staande jongen met emmer, op de rug gezien 1848 - 1888

Anton Mauve made this drawing of a boy carrying a bucket, using graphite and watercolor. The strokes of graphite create a sense of depth and texture, particularly in the boy's clothing and the rough surface of the wooden bucket. The soft hues of watercolor give the artwork a subtle warmth, highlighting the boy's vest. The work's visual impact is closely tied to the ease and speed of drawing as a medium. Mauve skillfully captured a fleeting moment in the boy's daily life, his technique influenced by the availability and cost-effectiveness of graphite and watercolor. The rawness of the sketch emphasizes the physical reality of the boy's labor and rural context. While seemingly simple, this drawing reflects the intersection of art, labor, and everyday life in the 19th century. It encourages us to appreciate the skill of the artist and consider the broader social context in which the artwork was created.