Aardappelrooiers op het land 1926

"Aardappelrooiers op het land" (Potato Diggers in the Field) is a 1926 charcoal drawing by Dutch artist Leo Gestel, depicting a group of people digging potatoes in a field. The piece, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, showcases Gestel's expressive style, characterized by bold, gestural lines and a sense of dynamism. The composition captures the hard work and physicality of the potato harvest, highlighting the importance of agriculture in Dutch society. The drawing's raw energy and simplified forms evoke a sense of immediacy and realism. The subject of potato digging, a common theme in Dutch art, reflects Gestel's interest in social realism, and his dedication to portraying the lives of ordinary people.