Zittende figuren aan een kade c. 1868s - 1878s

Jan Willem van Borselen made this sketch of figures seated at a quay, most likely in the Netherlands, using graphite on paper. Graphite, in its essence, is a humble material, born from the earth, and here used to capture a scene of everyday labor. The medium allows for a quick, almost furtive rendering, which speaks to the artist’s intent to capture a fleeting moment. Van Borselen’s approach is direct and unembellished, focusing on the rhythmic repetition of figures along the quay. These figures, hunched and busy, are sketched with minimal detail, yet they evoke a sense of the labor and collective effort that defined the dockside. The visible pencil strokes on the paper speak to the artist’s hand, emphasizing the physical act of drawing. The conscious choice of a readily available and inexpensive material challenges traditional distinctions between high art and the recording of ordinary life. Through the convergence of material, method, and subject, the artist elevates the common worker.