Boerenvrouw, staande op een riek geleund 1885 - 1886

Willem Witsen created this drawing of a farmer’s wife with charcoal on paper. It's a traditional material, yet here it powerfully evokes the life of labor. The grainy texture of the charcoal perfectly captures the rough clothing, the weathered skin of the subject, and the tilled earth all around her. The medium allows Witsen to create a hazy atmosphere. Notice how the woman leans on her tool, as if taking a moment's rest from her work. Witsen was known for his landscapes and scenes of Dutch life. Though trained in fine art, this work is not so far removed from the kind of close observation that we see in craft traditions, where understanding materials and processes is paramount. In choosing to represent this woman, Witsen elevates her everyday existence, and invites us to consider the value of her work. Ultimately, this piece prompts us to think about how art can draw attention to the lives of working people and the materials that shape their world.