Twee Napolitaanse postrijders 1778

This drawing, "Twee Napolitaanse postrijders," was made by Louis Ducros using pen and gray ink. It's a simple combination of materials, yet with them, Ducros has made a direct and incisive commentary on class. The ink, applied with swift, economical strokes, defines the two figures: a close-up of one rider’s face, and a full-length of another. The very plainness of the medium lends itself well to caricature. But beyond the satirical likeness, consider the social context. Ducros was working at a time when the rise of centralized postal services meant a new labor force on the roads. His choice of ink— a utilitarian material — and simple paper captures these workers and their relation to the emerging order. It’s a view from the saddle, as it were, of a society in motion. So, next time you see a humble drawing, remember it can be a window onto a world of social change.