Mei 1791

Jacob Cats created this pen and brown ink drawing, titled "Mei," during the late 18th century. It invites us to consider the intricate relationship between rural life and the societal structures of the time. The artwork captures a scene of everyday labor, with figures engaged in work that was critical to the period's agrarian economy. It reflects the labor-intensive practices that defined the lives of the working class. The centrality of the church in the composition speaks to the pervasive influence of religion in daily life. The artist, however, doesn't provide a romanticized view of the period. Instead, he offers a glimpse into the lives of the working class. The drawing subtly critiques the social hierarchy by depicting the physical demands placed on laborers. It invites us to reflect on the emotional dimensions of rural life and the societal forces that shaped individual experience.