Ein Bauer sitzt bei seinem Pferde 

Thomas Wijck made this drawing of a farmer with his horse using pen and brown ink with gray wash on paper. Wijck was Dutch, and although we don't know exactly when this was made, the scene gives us a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people in the Dutch Golden Age. The image depicts a farmer resting alongside his horse, a common sight in the rural landscapes of the Netherlands. What's interesting is how Wijck chooses to portray this scene. He elevates it beyond mere documentation by infusing it with a sense of dignity and quiet contemplation. During this time, the Dutch Republic was experiencing rapid economic growth and social change. Art became a commodity, and artists like Wijck found a market for genre scenes that celebrated the values of hard work, simplicity, and connection to the land. So, while seemingly straightforward, this drawing reflects broader social and economic forces at play in 17th-century Dutch society. To truly understand such an image, archival research into the art market and the social status of farmers at this time would be invaluable.