Man met spade, mogelijk een heiwerker c. 1884 - 1887

Willem Witsen sketched this drawing of a man with a spade, possibly a pile driver, using graphite on paper. The stooped posture and the act of digging resonate deeply, echoing ancient themes of labor and toil. This figure evokes images of the underworld, reminiscent of classical depictions of laborers and mythical figures condemned to eternal tasks. Consider Sisyphus, forever rolling his boulder, or the countless souls toiling in the fields of the afterlife. The spade itself is more than a tool; it is a symbol of human effort, connecting us to the earth, and reminding us of our mortality. The simple act of digging can be seen across cultures, from agricultural societies to funerary rites, each bearing its own cultural and religious significance. The emotional weight of this image lies in its universal representation of human struggle, a powerful force engaging viewers on a subconscious level, reminding us of our shared human condition. This image echoes across time, resurfacing in new contexts, and evolving in meaning.