Boerenkar 1770 - 1825

Simon Andreas Krausz made this watercolor drawing of a farmer's cart around the late 18th or early 19th century. While seemingly a simple depiction, it offers a glimpse into the social and economic landscape of the time. Krausz, working in the Netherlands, likely created this piece within a society still heavily reliant on agriculture. The weathered condition of the cart suggests the daily struggles of rural life. The image acts as a visual record of the tools and technologies that defined the lives of the working class, and how they were institutionalized in society. Historians might consult agricultural records, estate inventories, and other visual sources to contextualize the drawing. By examining such sources, we can better understand the social hierarchies and economic conditions that shaped the lives of those who depended on these carts for their livelihoods.