Aardappelrooiers c. 1887

"Aardappelrooiers" (Potato Diggers) is a charcoal drawing created in 1887 by Willem Witsen, a prominent Dutch artist known for his realistic depictions of everyday life. This sketch captures the hard work of two individuals bent over in the field, their figures outlined against a misty, open sky. The simplicity of the composition, highlighted by the artist's masterful use of charcoal, underscores the physicality and arduousness of their labor, providing a glimpse into the lives of working-class individuals in 19th-century Netherlands. This drawing, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies Witsen's commitment to social realism and his skillful portrayal of the human condition.