Liggende en zittende schaapherder c. 1884 - 1887

Willem Witsen sketched this image of a reclining and seated shepherd, using graphite, at an unknown date. This drawing provides a glimpse into rural life in the Netherlands during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period marked by significant social and economic changes. Witsen's choice of subject matter—the everyday life of a shepherd—reflects a broader artistic interest in depicting the working class and rural landscapes. During this time, the Netherlands was experiencing rapid urbanization and industrialization, leading to a renewed appreciation for traditional ways of life. The shepherd, in this context, becomes a symbol of a vanishing pastoral idyll, evoking nostalgia for a simpler, pre-industrial past. To understand this work more fully, we can consult social histories, economic surveys, and cultural studies of the Netherlands during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These resources can shed light on the social conditions that shaped artistic production and reception during this time.