Jongen met viool op schoot en op de grond een gebroken strijkstok 1827 - 1881

Jean-Baptiste van der Sypen created this print, “Jongen met viool op schoot en op de grond een gebroken strijkstok”, depicting a boy with a violin, at an unknown date. Van der Sypen lived and worked in Belgium during a time of significant social change and economic disparity. The image shows a boy seated in what seems to be a bare room, barefoot with worn clothes, clutching his violin. His gaze is downward and he seems to be looking at a broken bow on the floor, which emphasizes themes of poverty and loss of innocence. The single light source creates a dramatic contrast, drawing viewers to consider the boy's emotional state. During the 19th century, there was a growing awareness of social inequalities. Art played a role in either reinforcing or questioning societal norms. Through images like this, Van der Sypen invites the viewer to confront the realities faced by the most vulnerable members of society.