Boerin en ezel op een grasveld naast een sloot c. 1825 - 1829

This drawing of a 'Farmer and donkey in a meadow next to a ditch' was made by Andreas Schelfhout. It’s an intimate portrayal of a bucolic scene. The composition uses a subtle balance between the open, light-filled space and the textured density of the trees. Schelfhout’s delicate pencil lines build up layers of detail. Notice how the precise, almost scientific rendering of the trees contrasts with the soft, blurred edges of the figures and animals. This tension between precision and ambiguity destabilizes the traditional pastoral landscape. It invites us to look beyond the surface charm and consider the structural elements at play. The sketch functions as a study in tonal values. Schelfhout used the subtle gradations of grey to create depth and atmosphere. This is not simply a representational drawing; it is an investigation into how line and tone can evoke space and light, and how these formal elements shape our perception of the scene.