Zittende man die aardappels schilt 1831 - 1904

Arnoud Schaepkens made this etching of a seated man peeling potatoes. The simple act of peeling potatoes carries a wealth of symbolic weight. Observe the man’s bowed head and hunched posture: it speaks volumes about the toils and hardships of peasant life. The potato itself, once a novel import, became a staple, symbolizing survival and resilience in the face of adversity. Think of Van Gogh's "The Potato Eaters," where the shared meal becomes a sacred ritual, binding the family together in their shared poverty. Consider the cyclical nature inherent in the act of cultivation. The potato, buried in the earth, sprouts, yields, and is harvested, only to be consumed and begin the cycle anew. The act of peeling is transformative; the rough exterior is removed to reveal the nourishment within. It is a metaphor for the human condition, the stripping away of the superficial to reveal our essential selves. This image resonates because it taps into our primal connection to the earth and the rhythms of life.