Buste van een oude boer met een pamflet in zijn handen 1788 - 1846

This etching presents a bust of an old farmer, holding a pamphlet. Executed by Christian Gottlieb Geyser, the dimensions of the artwork are 80 mm in height and 104 mm in width. The composition is dominated by the figure's expressive face, rendered with meticulous lines that capture the rough texture of his skin and clothing. The dynamic interplay of light and shadow, achieved through detailed cross-hatching, adds volume and depth. The pamphlet, boldly presented, contains text that seems to leap off the page, engaging the viewer directly. Geyser employs a formal structure that draws the eye to the farmer's emotional state. The contrast between the refined script on the pamphlet and the farmer's coarse features introduces a semiotic tension, challenging traditional social hierarchies through visual representation. This contrast invites a deeper reflection on literacy, class, and the dissemination of ideas in society.