Werkloosheid 1920 - 1930

Patricq Kroon's pen drawing depicts two anxious-looking men against the backdrop of a sign that says "Unemployment - 60% of the population". You can tell Kroon used hatching and cross-hatching techniques to build up the forms and shadows. I can imagine Kroon bending over the paper, his hand moving quickly to capture the anxiety of the moment. The lines are wiry and agitated, like the artist's own nerves are on edge. I see in this work the tradition of socially engaged art, like Käthe Kollwitz or Honoré Daumier. The drawing style reminds me of political cartoons and caricatures and how artists use these methods to make a pointed statement about society. In the drawing, the textures created by the pen strokes convey a sense of unrest and unease, enhancing the overall impact of the message. And just like those artists from the past, contemporary artists continue to draw inspiration from their predecessors, pushing the boundaries of visual expression while addressing pressing social and political issues.