Figuur met vracht op een landweg c. 1887 - 1888

Willem Witsen made this drawing with graphite on paper, depicting a figure carrying a load on a country road. The soft, granular nature of graphite allows for a range of tonal effects, which Witsen uses to suggest the texture of the landscape and the weight of the figure's burden. This choice of material has imbues the artwork with social significance, highlighting the labor and class issues prevalent in rural life. The drawing appears to have been made quickly, perhaps en plein air, capturing a fleeting moment of everyday life. But its sketchy quality also invites us to consider the social context in which such labor takes place. The choice of a humble material like graphite further emphasizes the subject's working-class status. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we gain a deeper appreciation for the artwork's meaning, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft and prompting us to consider the social and economic forces that shape artistic expression.