Mussel Seller Taking a Break
1880
An older man with a bright yellow scarf sits on a wooden bench, meticulously rolling a cigarette with loose tobacco resting on a piece of paper on his lap. At his feet sits a woven basket overflowing with empty mussel shells, telling us exactly what he does for a living, while a younger companion sprawls out against the rough brick wall behind him. Painted in 1880 by Franz Leo Ruben, this piece is a classic example of academic realism, capturing the gritty, unglamorous daily life of working-class folks in the late 19th century.