Kolenwagen bij een huis 1809 - 1845

George Jooss created this image of a ‘Kolenwagen bij een huis’ or ‘Coal cart near a house’ through etching, a printmaking technique that was popular at the time. Here, two men are pictured with a coal wagon, pulled by two horses. The house in the background suggests they are travelling through a rural area. Consider the figures depicted: their posture, clothing, and implied occupation. They represent the working class and a mode of life that was heavily dependent on manual labour and natural resources. The cultural context of the 19th century was one of expanding industrialization. But here, we are drawn to the lives that were more intertwined with the land, with its rhythms and challenges. Jooss’ artwork is a lens through which we may consider the intersection of labour, environment, and community. The image is a reminder of our roots, of the essential role of human effort and the natural world in shaping our societies.