Kippen op een boerenerf 1848 - 1888

Anton Mauve likely made this drawing, Kippen op een boerenerf, on location with charcoal on paper. It’s a very immediate medium, quick to apply, and good for capturing fleeting impressions. The grainy texture of the charcoal lends a sense of realism to the rustic scene, but there is nothing picturesque here; no romanticizing. The quick strokes evoke a sense of everyday labor. The artist has used smudging techniques to create depth, particularly in the shadowed interior of the barn. What makes this drawing so compelling is how Mauve’s mastery of the material reflects the nature of farm work itself – direct, unpretentious, and essential. It demonstrates how even the simplest of materials, like charcoal, when handled with skill, can convey profound insights into the social fabric of its time. It also challenges us to look beyond the subject matter, and consider the physical act of creation.