Man met lieslaarzen en een touw 1836 - 1912

Isaac Weissenbruch made this small drawing, "Man with thigh boots and a rope," using pen and ink. It is now part of the Rijksmuseum collection. This image encapsulates the Netherlands' historical relationship with water. The man's attire, including the high boots and rope, suggests a worker dealing with the country's complex water management systems. Created in the 19th century, this drawing perhaps speaks to the Dutch identity, deeply intertwined with the struggle against and utilization of water resources. Looking at the social history, one might consider the labor and engineering feats required to maintain the intricate network of dikes and canals. Who was this man? Was he part of a cooperative or employed by a private landowner? Further research into the economic structures of the period and archival records of water management organizations could shed light on this individual's role and the broader social context of his labor.