Achterkant van een stal met voederbak before 1828

Cornelis de Kruyff made this drawing of a barn with a trough using graphite on paper. The choice of humble materials mirrors the subject matter. It’s not an idealized landscape, but a working structure, worn with age. Graphite, in particular, is interesting. It’s a readily available material that’s been used for centuries, often for preparatory sketches, and rarely as a final medium. Graphite allows for a wide range of tonal values and fine detail as we can see by the way he was able to capture the rough textures of the wood and the crumbling roof tiles. The visible labour of the hand, through the artist’s meticulous rendering of the barn, imbues the image with a sense of authenticity. By focusing on the back of the barn, where the animals feed, de Kruyff turns our attention to the everyday labour that sustains society. The worn textures and simple construction emphasize functionality over aesthetics, underscoring the value of honest work.