Aardappeletende jongen c. 1888

Willem Witsen captured this image of a boy eating potatoes with charcoal on paper. The humble potato takes centre stage. Once a symbol of sustenance and survival for the peasantry, it evolves into a broader motif of poverty and labor. We are reminded of Courbet’s "The Stone Breakers" of laborers reduced to their task. The act of eating, depicted with such starkness, evokes a primal connection to the earth. The emotional weight of this simple meal becomes a powerful force, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. In the cyclical progression of symbols, we see the humble act of eating resurface, evolving into a commentary on social conditions and the human experience.