Schaapherder met hond achter zijn kudde c. 1884 - 1887

Willem Witsen made this drawing, "Schaapherder met hond achter zijn kudde", with pencil and chalk on paper. The marks are quick and economical, capturing a fleeting scene. The chalk adds a softness and atmospheric depth to the sketch. Witsen likely held the chalk and pencil loosely, allowing for a range of tonal values and textures with minimal effort. This seemingly effortless quality belies a deeper engagement with the subject of labor. The shepherd and his dog are presented not as romantic figures, but as working individuals embedded in the landscape. The drawing hints at the traditional, rural economy that was gradually being overtaken by industrialization during Witsen's time. The very act of sketching, a relatively quick and portable medium, suggests a desire to document and preserve a way of life that was rapidly disappearing. By focusing on the everyday experiences of working people and the landscapes they inhabit, Witsen elevates the ordinary to the realm of art, challenging conventional hierarchies.