Dronkaard op een kruiwagen voortgeduwd door een groep mannen op straat 1838 - 1912

This print, likely made by Isaac Weissenbruch, presents a scene of social commentary through the stark simplicity of line. The composition is immediately striking, with the dark, clustered figures of men pushing a wheelbarrow. This group surrounds a man who appears collapsed within it. Weissenbruch masterfully employs line to define form and texture. Short, repeated strokes suggest the rough texture of clothing and the unkempt nature of the scene, while longer lines delineate the figures and their interactions. The artist uses the semiotic system of signs to convey a clear moral message about the degradation of drunkenness. The contrast between the upright figures of the men and the slumped form in the wheelbarrow creates a visual hierarchy. The print’s formal qualities underscore its cultural critique, inviting viewers to reflect on the relationship between individual behavior and collective responsibility. The act of viewing becomes an act of interpretation, each line a signifier in a larger discourse.