#10220 George Claussen

The drawing presents a figure engaged in labor, likely agricultural work, rendered with a rapid and expressive charcoal technique. Here we see a man, viewed from behind, wielding what appears to be a scythe or similar cutting tool. The posture is one of exertion; his body leans forward, the weight shifted onto one leg as he swings the implement.
The artist has employed a loose, almost gestural style. Lines are not precise but rather suggest form and movement through their density and direction. This approach lends an immediacy to the scene, capturing a fleeting moment in the man’s work. The background is indistinct, composed of short, agitated strokes that evoke dense foliage or undergrowth. These marks contribute to a sense of enclosure and emphasize the figures isolation within his task.
The man’s attire – a simple shirt, trousers, and a hat – indicates a working-class status. His beard suggests maturity and experience. The focus is not on individual features but rather on the overall impression of physical labor and resilience.
Subtly, the drawing conveys themes of toil and connection to the land. Theres an inherent dignity in the depiction of this anonymous worker; his effort is presented without sentimentality or romanticization. Instead, the artist seems interested in documenting a fundamental aspect of human existence – the cyclical nature of labor and its relationship to sustenance. The lack of detail encourages viewers to contemplate the broader context of agricultural life and the individuals who sustain it through their physical efforts.

The drawing’s monochromatic palette reinforces this sense of austerity and focuses attention on the form and movement, rather than coloristic effects.