Engelse padvindster van de Rowntree toffeefabriek c. 1928 - 1930

Otto Verhagen created this pencil drawing of an English girl working at the Rowntree toffee factory. It makes me think about the role of art as a form of social commentary. What was Otto Verhagen thinking when he made this drawing? Was he trying to capture a sense of the everyday lives of working-class people, or was he trying to make a broader statement about industrialization and its impact on society? I love the simplicity of this drawing. The artist has used a limited number of lines to create a convincing portrait of this young woman, capturing her youthfulness and sense of purpose. The shading is nicely done, particularly on her stockings, giving her figure a real sense of depth. Her uniform is simple, but you can imagine the soft texture of the fabric, and the loose cut of the shirt. This drawing feels like a conversation between the artist and his subject. It's a quiet, contemplative piece that invites us to reflect on the lives of ordinary people.