Bauernhof mit essendem, trinkendem, spielendem Volke 1693

Cornelis Dusart made this drawing of a farmhouse filled with eating, drinking, and playing people in the late 17th century. Using graphite or a similar drawing medium, Dusart created a scene of labor and leisure. The choice of drawing as opposed to painting allowed for intricate detail, especially in the depiction of the timber farmhouse, and the thatch of the lean-to under which the peasants revel. The medium also facilitated relatively quick execution, aligning with the artist’s project of capturing a fleeting moment of rural life. The detailed depiction of labor and celebration gives the artwork a distinct social significance. Dusart’s attention to detail elevates what might otherwise be seen as mundane. By focusing on the everyday lives of peasants, the artwork challenges conventional hierarchies between high art and craft, inviting viewers to appreciate the skill and significance found in quotidian activities.