Man met baal wol op zijn rug, van achteren Possibly 1652

This drawing was created in 1652 by Harmen ter Borch and is made with pen in brown and gray ink. It illustrates a man carrying a bale of wool on his back. During the Dutch Golden Age, the Netherlands was a major hub for trade and commerce. Drawings like this offer us a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people whose labor fueled this economic prosperity. You can almost feel the weight of the wool, the strain on his back. Ter Borch captures the essence of labor, and the raw physicality of work. What does it mean to see the world from the perspective of someone whose daily life is defined by physical labor? Ter Borch does not aestheticize or romanticize his subject. He leaves us with an honest portrayal of a worker's burden. He acknowledges the dignity inherent in this struggle. The drawing remains relevant, reminding us to recognize the humanity and stories behind everyday labor.