Boerderij c. 1887 - 1888

Willem Witsen made this sketch of a farm, titled 'Boerderij,' using graphite on paper. Witsen, born into an upper-class family, had a deep connection to the Dutch countryside, in stark contrast to the burgeoning industrialization of the late 19th century. This work encapsulates a sense of longing for a simpler, agrarian past. It’s as if the artist, grappling with the transformations of his time, sought solace in the enduring image of the traditional farm. The choice of graphite lends a raw, almost melancholic feel to the sketch. The unfinished quality evokes a feeling of being caught between worlds, a sentiment perhaps shared by many during a period of intense social and economic change. The farm, in its simplicity, becomes a symbol of cultural identity rooted in the land. There’s a quiet dignity in Witsen’s portrayal, an unspoken acknowledgement of the lives and labor tied to this place. It invites us to reflect on our own relationship to the land and to consider the human stories embedded in the landscape.