Peasant

The peasant was an enduring motif for Herman, observed on his wide travels abroad in countries including France, Spain and Mexico. In his autobiography, 'Related Twilights: Notes from an artist's diary', the artist explained the appeal of this avowed preference: 'the peasant is a type, but also an individual. From their very postures once can sense a world of silent expression. But more important than their shapes or their faces, their whole bodies express a kind of transcendental declaration of human independence'.