Visser op het ijs 1832 - 1897

Alexander Ver Huell made this drawing, 'Visser op het ijs', with pen in grey in the 19th century. At first glance, the linear quality of this drawing emphasizes the stark coldness of a winter scene. The composition is split into two groups. One is the ice fisherman sitting quietly on his stool, and the other is a man in the ice water with a shocking expression. It is apparent that Ver Huell has framed the image as a commentary on social inequity. The artist uses the figures to highlight the harsh realities of the lower classes and their economic circumstances. The fisherman is an example of one. While he has a degree of control and stability, as seen by his posture and position above the ice, the man in the icy water has been reduced to a state of abject desperation. Ultimately, it's the contrast of emotional states and circumstances, set against a backdrop of austere winter, that invites us to consider the drawing’s social critique. The composition with the two men invites continuous interpretation.