Vier schetsen van hooiwagens en koeien 1854 - 1910

This drawing, “Vier schetsen van hooiwagens en koeien” or “Four sketches of hay wagons and cows” was made by Willem Maris with graphite. The composition strikes us with its division into four distinct scenes, each capturing rural life. Maris organizes the scenes in a seemingly random arrangement, yet they form a cohesive whole through thematic unity. The top left corner shows figures at work loading hay onto a wagon. To the right, we see a solitary cow resting. The bottom left sketch depicts another wagon scene, while the lower right presents two cows lying together. The materiality of the graphite lends itself to fine details, while the linear quality highlights shapes. Maris uses hatching and shading to create depth. The use of line varies from sharp and precise to soft and blurred, capturing different textures and forms. The spatial arrangement and contrast between the active scenes of labor and the passive scenes of resting animals evoke a sense of balance. These sketches capture a moment in time, reflecting the quiet rhythm of agricultural life.