De zaaier 1871 - 1906

Pieter de Josselin de Jong created this pencil drawing, "The Sower," at the turn of the 20th century. It depicts a lone figure walking across a field, a basket slung over his shoulder, scattering seeds. During this time, agrarian life was often romanticized, yet the reality for many rural workers was one of hardship and poverty. The sower, a symbol deeply rooted in biblical and artistic traditions, can be seen as a figure of hope and renewal, but also as a representation of the working class, intimately connected to the land. Note the sower's bare feet, and simple clothing which mark him as a man of the land. De Jong, coming from a privileged background, offers an interesting perspective. Was he idealizing rural life, or acknowledging the dignity of labor? Perhaps, it’s a bit of both. The drawing invites us to consider the complex relationship between the individual, the land, and the cycles of life. It prompts us to reflect on our own connections to the natural world and the sources of our sustenance.