Man wrijft zich in het oog 1895

Louis Peeters created this etching, "Man wrijft zich in het oog," sometime in the early 20th century. Peeters, born in the late 19th century, lived through a period of significant social and political change that influenced his artistic perspective. The work depicts a man rubbing his eye, a seemingly simple gesture that carries a wealth of meaning. Is it fatigue, or is it an emotional reaction to an unseen event? The man's clothing suggests a working-class identity. The act of rubbing his eye could be seen as a moment of private reflection in a life marked by labor. This image prompts questions about how we perceive and represent the everyday experiences of working-class men. It's an intimate portrait that invites us to consider the emotional lives of those often overlooked in society. It reminds us of the importance of recognizing individual humanity within broader social contexts.