Boerenjongen in een interieur c. 1884 - 1887

Willem Witsen made this drawing in graphite, titled 'Boerenjongen in een interieur', meaning 'Farm Boy in an Interior'. Witsen was a Dutch artist who lived from 1860 to 1923. He was part of a group of artists known as the Amsterdam Impressionists, who were interested in capturing everyday life in the Netherlands. His artistic career developed at a time when the Netherlands was undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization. Many artists were concerned about the impact of these changes on traditional rural life. This drawing seems to show a young farm boy sitting in a simple interior, possibly in one of the regions surrounding Amsterdam. You can see the use of light and shadow to create a sense of atmosphere. The composition is informal and intimate. The artist is clearly interested in capturing a fleeting moment in the life of this boy, rather than creating a grand or idealized image. Further research into Witsen's life and work, including archival material relating to the Amsterdam Impressionists, can help us better understand the social and cultural context in which this drawing was created. This work reminds us that art is always made within particular social and institutional settings.