Man bij kaarslicht 1802

This is Jan Chalon's "Man bij kaarslicht," made sometime in the late 18th century with etching. Chalon lived during the Enlightenment, a period when individual identity and reason were increasingly emphasized, yet social hierarchies remained rigid. The print shows a man, likely of the working class, illuminated by candlelight. His face, lined and careworn, is half-obscured by a wide-brimmed hat, creating an intimate, almost secretive atmosphere. The candle itself, a symbol of enlightenment, casts light selectively, leaving much in shadow. Consider the role of light in this image. Is it revealing or concealing? The man’s hidden face might reflect the social invisibility of the lower classes, even as their labor fueled society. Chalon’s choice to depict this intimate moment asks us to consider the lives and inner worlds of those often overlooked. "Man bij kaarslicht" invites us to reflect on the complexities of identity, class, and visibility during a time of profound social change, and how we find light in the darkness.