Master to His New Labourer (1906)

"Master to His New Labourer" is an expressive piece crafted by Albert Engström in 1906, which captures a striking interaction between two starkly contrasting characters. The drawing utilizes sharp, bold lines to delineate the figures and evoke a sense of immediacy and character in a minimalist black and white palette.On one side of this artwork, we see a lean and somewhat ragged man, standing slightly hunched. His face, marked by a noticeable frown and stiff mustache, conveys a mixture of apprehension and weariness, possibly hinting at his life’s hard labor or the uneasy anticipation of new work.Opposing him is a portly gentleman, sitting comfortably with a cigar elegantly held in one hand, exuding an air of authority and contentment. This figure, likely representing the 'master' or employer, is characterized by his relaxed demeanor and smug smile, which contrasts vividly with the other's tense stance.Between them lies a desk, stark and bare except for some papers perhaps outlining the terms of labor—the symbolic barrier that also serves as a negotiating table. The portrayal of these two figures highlights themes of class distinction and power dynamics, inviting the viewer to reflect on social and economic inequalities.