Ploegende boer 1884 - 1886

This is a drawing, "Ploegende boer," by George Hendrik Breitner, housed in the Rijksmuseum. Look at the figure of the farmer, reduced to a few stark lines. This representation isn't merely a portrait; it invokes something far older and deeper. The symbol of the farmer – a figure bowed in labor, connected to the earth – is one that resonates across centuries. Think of classical images of agricultural life in ancient Greece and Rome. Here, Breitner strips it to its essence: a dark silhouette against the pale page, a primal form wrestling with the soil. There is something about the stoic posture and downward gaze that taps into our collective memory of humanity's struggle with nature. This symbol of the earth-bound laborer has traveled through time, resurfacing in art from Van Gogh's peasants to Millet's "Gleaners", each time adapting to reflect the changing societal views of the working class. The image of the farmer is imbued with the weight of history, a reminder of our ancient connection to the land and the enduring cycle of toil and harvest.