Man en vrouw in boerenkleding, op de rug gezien 1621 - 1707

This is a pen drawing by Willem van de Velde I, created in the 17th century. It shows two figures in peasant clothing, viewed from behind. Their simple attire, complete with caps and a basket, speaks to a life closely tied to the land and evokes a sense of humility and daily toil. Consider the recurring image of the peasant throughout art history. Often, peasants are symbols of the natural life, of the earth's bounty, and of a simpler existence, seen in works from Bruegel to Millet. Yet, their portrayal is never neutral; it carries the weight of societal attitudes. The basket, an object of daily use, also takes on symbolic weight. It's a vessel, a container of life's essentials, echoing images of cornucopia that recur in classical art, though now grounded in the reality of agrarian life. The image presents a powerful, perhaps subconscious, longing for an uncomplicated life. It reminds us that symbols are never fixed but evolve, carrying historical echoes, and engaging viewers in a perpetual dialogue across time.