Alfred Ost (1884-1945) - Hard Labour

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Expressive pen and ink drawing by Belgian artist Alfred Ost (1884-1945), depicting a powerful Brabant draft horse straining forward as it pulls a heavily laden cart, accompanied by hard-working labourers in the background. Rendered with vigorous, searching lines and subtle washes, the composition conveys movement, labor, and physical tension—recurring themes in Ost’s graphic work.

Ost was celebrated for his mastery of drawing and his ability to capture everyday scenes of rural and urban life with emotional depth and modern expressiveness. Trained at the Antwerp Academy, he developed a distinctive linear style that bridged realism and early modernism, and he remains particularly admired for his drawings, illustrations, and posters. His career was internationally recognized, notably with a bronze medal at the 1920 Antwerp Olympic art competitions.

Dating the work to 1923 (XXIII) fits well stylistically, as this period corresponds to Ost’s mature graphic language, marked by expressive line, strong movement, and emotionally charged depictions of labor and everyday life.

This evocative sheet exemplifies Ost’s confident draftsmanship and keen observation, making it an appealing work for collectors of early 20th-century Belgian art and expressive figurative drawing.

⦿ Signed l.r.: AO (monogramme) 2 XXIII (1923)
⦿ Dimensions (approx.): 28 x 36 cm (artwork), 31 x 39 cm (incl. frame/total).
⦿ Condition: Exhibits an authentic patina of age (see pictures) including age spots.
⦿ Note: The frame and glass protection are included as a complimentary gift and should be regarded as such
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