Boerin die een kruiwagen met hooi en twee kinderen duwt 1898

Pieter de Josselin de Jong created this drawing of a farmer pushing a wheelbarrow filled with hay and two children. During the late 19th century, the Netherlands underwent significant social and economic changes. Many artists turned their attention to rural life, portraying peasants and farmers as symbols of the nation's enduring values. The image of the mother embodies traditional representations of women in agricultural communities. We are confronted by the mother's gaze, which conveys a mix of weariness and determination. She embodies the physical labor and emotional burdens placed on women in rural settings. One child lies amongst the hay, the other walks alongside the wheelbarrow, imitating labor with a rake. The artist alludes to the cyclical nature of poverty as it is passed down through generations. Ultimately, this piece invites us to consider the intersections of gender, class, and rural identity during a period of significant social transformation. It serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of economic progress, encouraging viewers to reflect on the lives and experiences of those often marginalized in historical narratives.