Rokende man aan een tafel 1803 - 1842

Anthonie Willem Hendrik Nolthenius de Man created this small drawing, "Rokende man aan een tafel" or "Smoking Man at a Table," likely in the early 19th century. During this period, the Netherlands, much like other parts of Europe, experienced significant social stratification. Representations of working-class men often carried complex social connotations. Here, the smoking man, possibly a common laborer, is depicted with a bent posture, conveying a sense of weariness, perhaps from the strains of daily labor. The inclusion of smoking and drinking alludes to leisure activities but could also imply dependence. The artist's personal views or social commentary remain ambiguous, yet the image offers a glimpse into the lives of ordinary individuals and prompts questions about their place and representation in society at the time. This work invites reflection on the lives of working-class men, prompting viewers to consider the circumstances that shaped their experiences and their representation in art.