Gezicht op twee boeren die hooi op een kar verzamelen before 1898

This anonymous work, *Gezicht op twee boeren die hooi op een kar verzamelen*, captures a pastoral scene in monochrome, with strong contrasts that define its subjects. The composition is dominated by the figures of two farmers engaged in labor, set against a backdrop of hay and rustic implements. The photograph's structure reveals an interest in the interplay between form and function. The figures are depicted with a focus on their labor, which serves to engage with structuralist notions of work and social roles. We can interpret the scene as a sign—a visual encoding of rural life, where the arrangement of figures and objects within the frame contributes to a narrative about labor. Note how the stark lighting and shadow create a sense of depth and texture, emphasizing the physicality of the farmers’ work. By focusing on the details of this scene, the image destabilizes any romanticized view of rural life, revealing instead the raw labor involved in the seasonal cycles of harvest. The image, therefore, stands not just as a document of its time but as a subtle commentary on the nature of work.