Aardappelrooister c. 1886

"Aardappelrooister" is a graphite drawing by Willem Witsen, created around 1886 and currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. The drawing captures a dynamic scene of a potato harvester, depicted with loose, expressive lines and shading. Witsen, known for his naturalistic and often socially conscious art, likely chose this subject to highlight the challenging work of rural laborers. This simple yet powerful sketch is a testament to Witsen's ability to convey a sense of movement and physicality in a single figure.