Boerenkind met nap c. 1885

"Boerenkind met nap" (c. 1885) is a striking etching by Dutch artist Willem Witsen. The work depicts a young peasant child, rendered in expressive, gestural lines. The child's face, partially obscured, conveys a sense of quiet contemplation. Witsen, known for his depictions of everyday life, captured the essence of rural life in the Netherlands, highlighting the dignity and resilience of its people. The etching's dark tones and textured lines contribute to its atmospheric quality, inviting viewers to contemplate the child's world and their own. This small-scale work, housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a poignant example of Witsen's mastery of etching and his social realism.