Man Seated on a Bank 

George Morland sketched "Man Seated on a Bank" during a time of immense social change in England. The late 18th century saw the rise of industrialization and urbanization. Morland, known for his depictions of rural life and working-class individuals, here captures a figure burdened by what seems to be the weight of the world. His head is in his hands, and the scene conveys a sense of weariness. Is this man a farm worker displaced by agricultural changes? Is he an early casualty of a shifting economy? Morland’s own struggles with debt and addiction add a layer of complexity to this work. The artist, who was very popular during his lifetime, was also criticized for his dissipated lifestyle. He may have imbued the subject with his own sense of turmoil. The sketch leaves us with a sense of empathy for the man's situation, and speaks to broader issues of identity, precarity, and the human condition.