Schaapherder leunend op zijn staf c. 1886 - 1906

Willem Witsen made this etching of a shepherd leaning on his staff. Witsen belonged to a group of Dutch artists called the Amsterdam Impressionists, who often depicted scenes of daily life with a focus on atmosphere and emotion. This image offers us a window into the rural life of the Netherlands at the time, while it also subtly reflects on broader societal structures. The shepherd, a figure from the working class, stands in contrast to the more urban subjects often depicted by Witsen and his contemporaries. The solitary figure prompts reflection on labor, land, and the social hierarchy. The shepherd looks off into the distance and prompts questions about his future. Is this representation of labor romantic, or does it acknowledge the hardships of rural existence? The artwork invites you to consider the lives of those often unseen.