Tagwerker (Day Laborer)

About this work

This black-and-white print shows a tired-looking man in old-fashioned clothes. He’s carrying a heavy wooden board under one arm and leaning on a shovel with the other. Behind him sits a wooden wheelbarrow tipped over on its side, with some tools scattered on the ground. The artist labeled this a *Tagwerker*—German for "day laborer"—showing a worker taking a break after a long shift. The rough lines and shadows give the scene a gritty, real feel. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints with acid and needles.