Boer naast twee door paarden getrokken karren 1848 - 1888

Anton Mauve made this etching, "Boer naast twee door paarden getrokken karren" or "Farmer beside two horse-drawn carts," in the Netherlands, during the late 19th century, a period marked by significant social and economic change that affected the lives of rural workers. Mauve's work offers a glimpse into the life of a farmer during a time of increasing industrialization. The figure of the farmer walking beside his horse-drawn carts evokes a sense of labor, yet his posture hints at something more complex. The farmer seems to be gazing towards the horizon, as if caught between the burden of his work and the possibility of something new. Mauve seems to be interested in expressing empathy for the working class through the tonal qualities of the printmaking medium. It is important to recognize that the image, while seemingly straightforward, subtly engages with themes of class, labor, and the human condition. The farmer’s solitary presence underscores the isolation that often accompanied agricultural work.