Rust tijdens het hooien 1881

This is 'Rust tijdens het hooien' or 'Rest During Haymaking' by Jules-Jacques Veyrassat, made sometime in the mid-19th century, using etching. Look closely, and you can see how this printmaking technique allows for a remarkable level of detail. Veyrassat would have used sharp tools to incise lines into a metal plate, which was then inked and pressed onto paper. This image is interesting for how it portrays labor. The figures taking a break from the hay harvest and the yoked oxen provide a glimpse into agricultural life. The composition subtly speaks to the social context of rural labor. The meticulous lines of the print mirror the work involved in haymaking, emphasizing both the beauty and the toil of this activity. Ultimately, Veyrassat’s 'Rest During Haymaking' reminds us that art is deeply connected to its materials, production process, and social context.