Slapende man met baard 1882

Antoon Derkinderen made this drawing, "Sleeping Man with Beard," using graphite on paper. The late 19th century was a period of rapid social and political change in Europe, and Derkinderen was part of a generation of artists grappling with questions of identity. The drawing presents a vision of masculinity that contrasts with the traditional ideals of strength. The man's vulnerability challenges traditional gender roles. During this time in the Netherlands, there were strong cultural expectations of men as breadwinners. We might also think about class. Is the man elderly and poor? Or has he simply laid down for a nap after a long day? Is this a portrait of an individual, or is the artist trying to tell a broader story about the working class? What do you feel when you look at the drawing?