The sculpture standing man depicts a lone man standing in a boat, leaning on an oar. His hunched body, bowed head, and outstretched arms express effort and fatigue. His simple clothing and bare feet evoke a humble figure, perhaps a fisherman or a laborer. The style is expressive: the forms are rough, modeled with energy, emphasizing dramatic tension. the work is part of a realistic and expressionist movement, close to early 20th-century belgian social sculpture, such as that of constantin meunier. It highlights ordinary people in their daily labor, without pathos or idealization. Bronze, a noble material, gives this figure a particular dignity. through this bent but upright figure, van der smissen expresses man's silent resistance in the face of adversity. The gesture is suspended, between effort and rest, in an almost meditative moment. The whole conveys a humanistic vision: that of the nobility of everyday life, inner strength, and perseverance. frans van der smissen, brother of the painter leo van der smissen, is a discreet but sensitive belgian sculptor whose work reflects a deep concern for the human condition. This sculpture, both sober and intense, is a beautiful tribute to the workers in the shadows, standing in their silence. - biography of frans van der smissen (1894-1964): - identity and profession: frans van der smissen was a belgian sculptor. - dates: he was born in 1894 and died in 1964. - family: he was the brother of léo van der smissen (1900–1966), a belgian painter affiliated with the bruges school. This piece has an attribution mark, i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity issues arising from misattribution