Aardappelen rooien 1903 - 1920

Editor: Here we have "Aardappelen rooien" which roughly translates to "Harvesting Potatoes", a drawing from sometime between 1903 and 1920. It seems to be charcoal and pencil on paper from Stoomsteendrukkerij Senefelder. It gives a somewhat somber feeling. What do you make of the formal elements, given this landscape scene? Curator: Observe how the composition is structured through tonal contrasts. The dark, densely rendered foreground of the potato field leads the eye towards the lighter, almost ethereal background. What impact does the artist's choice of monochromatic palette have on the viewer’s perception of the subject matter? Editor: It almost makes it feel older than it is, more historical. And it does emphasize the hard work. How does that realism style affect it, compared to other types of painting? Curator: Realism eschews idealization, focusing instead on the tangible reality of the scene. Note the rough texture achieved through charcoal; this imitates the coarse quality of the earth itself. Consider how the use of line and form contributes to a sense of depth and spatial organization within the artwork. Does the perspective feel compressed or expansive to you? Editor: Now that you point it out, it does feel very textural. I can almost feel the rough ground they are working on. Curator: Exactly. Furthermore, the artist employs a limited range of values to construct form and light. Observe how light is used to sculpt the figures and objects, imbuing them with a sense of volume and mass. Does the play of light and shadow create a mood, or a sense of drama within the piece? Editor: It creates a kind of tired atmosphere for me, highlighting labor and making you wonder how they felt as people. Curator: Precisely. The formal elements in this piece reinforce its content. Editor: This piece uses formal elements to emphasize the somber and laborious activity of these agricultural workers, adding a lot more to the message of the picture.