Whistler in a Hansom Cab n.d.

George Du Maurier sketched "Whistler in a Hansom Cab" using pen and ink, a technique favored for its immediacy. The stark contrast of the ink on paper captures the dynamic energy of urban life, epitomized by the hansom cab, a symbol of Victorian London's burgeoning transportation network. Du Maurier's sketchy style is deceptive; it belies the labor involved in mastering such assured draftsmanship. Note how the concentration of lines creates depth and movement, conveying the speed of the cab and the bustling city atmosphere. This drawing reflects a society increasingly stratified, with figures like Whistler able to afford such transport, while the cab driver toils under different conditions. The drawing itself, though seemingly effortless, speaks to the broader context of labor and leisure in a rapidly industrializing world. It's a reminder that every artwork, regardless of its medium, carries the weight of its making and its moment.