Reproductie van een tekening van een pijprokende man door Josse Impens before 1883

Léon Evely made this reproduction of a drawing of a pipe-smoking man, likely around the late 19th century. It offers a glimpse into the everyday life of working-class individuals and the social norms surrounding leisure and labor during that era. The image, rendered in a monochromatic palette, creates meaning through its depiction of a man immersed in the act of smoking a pipe. This quotidian scene reflects the cultural significance of tobacco and the rituals associated with it. It also hints at the social conditions that shaped artistic production in Belgium at the time. Was the artwork meant to idealize this man, or critique him? Understanding this artwork requires research into the visual culture of 19th-century Belgium, including the socio-economic conditions, political movements, and the role of art institutions. By consulting historical archives, and period publications we can understand the way art both reflected and shaped the values of its time.