Boerin met schoffel c. 1884 - 1887

Willem Witsen made this drawing, titled 'Boerin met schoffel' or 'Farmer Woman with a Hoe', on paper. Witsen lived during a time of significant social change, with industrialization altering the lives of many. In this context, there was increasing interest in the lives of rural workers. What’s striking about Witsen’s work is the way it captures a figure who appears to be isolated in her labor. Although rendered with quick, light strokes, the woman's form suggests an intimacy with the land. It’s as if her very being is intertwined with the earth she tends. The way she is slouched suggests a burden, yet also resilience. She's framed by vertical marks to the right of her, and vegetation to the left. You can almost hear her clothing rustling as she works. Although seemingly a simple image, Witsen's 'Farmer Woman with a Hoe' reflects the complex relationship between people, labor, and the land. It encapsulates the tension between the romanticized view of rural life and its often harsh realities.