Twee studies van een zittende houthakker Possibly 1819

These two studies of a seated woodcutter are by Abraham Johannes Ruytenschildt. They’re made with pen and brown ink, a traditional combination for sketching studies. But the subject matter is far from the grand themes typically associated with fine art. Instead, Ruytenschildt directs our attention to the realities of labor, showing a tradesman in his working clothes, axe in tow. The artist is careful to depict the details of his stance, and his garments. We can imagine him resting after a long period of work. It is tempting to read this image through the lens of social realism, particularly in the context of the Industrial Revolution. The focus on the individual laborer can be seen as a commentary on the changing nature of work, and the place of the individual within a rapidly industrializing society. By choosing to represent the dignity of labor, Ruytenschildt elevated a common scene to the realm of art, prompting viewers to consider the value of manual work.