Vrouwen aan het werk op het land c. 1888s

Editor: This pencil drawing, “Vrouwen aan het werk op het land,” created by Willem Witsen around 1888, has such an understated quality. The figures are almost lost in the vastness of the landscape. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: It's important to consider Witsen's position within the art world and broader social shifts. This was a time when artists were increasingly engaging with social realism, depicting everyday life and labor. How does this sketch engage with the social realities of rural women working the land? Editor: It's not romanticized, is it? These women seem small against the field, anonymous almost. There isn't anything classically beautiful. Curator: Exactly. It seems that Witsen uses the impressionist style almost as an attempt at documentation. Instead of idealizing rural life, Witsen offers a glimpse into the often-unseen labor of women. It moves from an image, and creates an engagement in politics. Who does this piece, and its creation, seek to affect? Editor: That's interesting, thinking about it as a political statement through observation. It makes me appreciate the apparent simplicity even more, given the underlying narrative. Curator: The art world is never really neutral, is it? These are all cultural statements which should invite discussion in our perception, no matter the art. Editor: Definitely something I’ll consider going forward; seeing beyond what is right in front of me. Curator: A great skill when encountering art, wouldn't you agree?