Wibaut en Kleerekoper 1913 - 1929

This drawing of ‘Wibaut en Kleerekoper’ was made by Patricq Kroon, sometime between 1877 and 1941, using pen and ink. The quickness of the mark making gives it immediacy, you know? Like a snapshot of a fleeting moment. The drawing feels satirical, the lines are bold and confident, but also scratchy and restless. Look at the figure on the left, his wiry hair almost seems to vibrate, doesn’t it? And the way Kroon renders the faces, all sharp angles and exaggerated features, it's pretty brutal. The subsidie box that the figure on the left holds open, it feels like Kroon is pointing out something, but it’s also kind of funny! For me, Kroon's work has a bit of Daumier to it, in the way he captures the absurdities of life. It reminds us that art is always in conversation with the world, poking fun, asking questions, and hopefully making us think a little differently.