Boerderij met twee mensen in de deuropening 1789 - 1793

Hendrik Meijer made this drawing of a farm with two people in the doorway, using pen and brown ink, and brush in grey. The artist’s rapid strokes and the use of wash give a sense of immediacy, as if he sketched it on the spot. What’s interesting is how he renders the texture of the farmhouse. The wood planks, the thatched roof, and the stone foundation are all carefully delineated. You can almost feel the rough, organic surfaces. He used traditional art materials, but the subject matter here is what elevates the everyday into art. In the 18th century, there was a growing interest in depictions of rural life, and of the labor it entails. This wasn't just about pretty scenery, but about the economic realities of the Dutch countryside. Note the wear and tear on the building, and how the workers blend with their environment. Meijer’s drawing makes us think about the labor involved in maintaining this farm, and how deeply the lives of the inhabitants are rooted in this place. It’s a reminder that even the simplest images can be rich with meaning when we consider the materials, making, and social context.