[Die zaait] Zal oogsten 1875 - 1900

This drawing by Jan de Waardt presents a figure meticulously counting coins, sketched with ink and crayon on paper. The subdued palette, dominated by muted grays and blacks, focuses our attention on the linear precision of the artwork. De Waardt uses line to create form, but also to suggest texture. Look closely at how the varying line weights create a sense of depth and volume, particularly in the man's clothing and the piles of coins. The composition is structured around the contrast between the static figure and the dynamic arrangement of the coins, suggesting a tension between the act of accumulation and the potential for movement. The phrase inscribed at the bottom, "Die zaait zal oogsten," or "As you sow, so shall you reap," hints at a deeper commentary on wealth and labor. De Waardt presents us with a visual puzzle: is this a celebration of prosperity or a critique of materialism? Perhaps it is both, a reflection on the complexities of value in a changing world.