Boerenerf met een hooimijt 1645 - 1646

Pieter Moninckx created this drawing of a farmstead with a haystack using graphite on paper in the 17th century. The softness of the graphite allows Moninckx to achieve a range of tones and textures, capturing the rustic charm of the rural scene. The drawing offers insight into the labor and materials associated with agricultural life, from the cultivation of the fields to the construction of the haystack itself. The image celebrates the Dutch countryside, which in the 17th century was an important source of national identity and pride. The artist's attention to detail, from the texture of the thatched roof to the roughness of the wooden fence, reveals the value placed on honest work and craftsmanship. By drawing attention to the everyday materials and labor of rural life, Moninckx elevates the status of these subjects, challenging traditional hierarchies between fine art and the crafts.