Boer aan het werk op het land c. 1884 - 1887

Willem Witsen captured this scene of a 'Boer aan het werk op het land' with pencil on paper. The composition, dominated by tonal contrasts, evokes a somber mood. The dark figure of the farmer stands out against the field, sketched with nervous energy. Witsen uses line and shadow to capture the essence of labor and the human form. Observe how the diagonal lines of the furrows lead the eye towards the horizon, creating a sense of depth. The human figure is bent by toil and framed by the starkness of his environment. This image fits into a long tradition of social realism, focusing on the dignity of labor. Consider how the formal elements—the stark contrasts and dynamic lines—reflect broader cultural themes of work, nature, and human endurance. The function of this artwork resides in its ability to express a perspective, a mood and an interpretation of the human condition.