Boerderij met hooischuur bij een houten brug 1897

Herman Antonius van Daalhoff made this piece called 'Boerderij met hooischuur bij een houten brug', or 'Farm with haystack near a wooden bridge' using pen in brown ink. Van Daalhoff, who lived from 1867 to 1953, came of age in a time when the Netherlands was experiencing rapid industrialization alongside a nostalgic yearning for its rural past. This drawing gives us a glimpse into that dichotomy. The monochromatic scene invites us to reflect on how industrial progress often overshadows the quiet beauty and traditional ways of life found in the countryside. The choice of a simple, earthy medium underscores the theme. The brown ink mirrors the tones of the soil, the wooden structures, and the natural materials of the haystack. It’s as if the artist wanted to ground us, to connect us to the very essence of the land and its people. This artwork serves not just as a depiction, but as a gentle reminder of what is gained and lost in the relentless march of time.