Drie mannen aan het werk op het land c. 1884 - 1887

Willem Witsen sketched "Three Men Working in the Field" with graphite on paper. The very material of this work – humble graphite on paper – speaks volumes. Graphite, the lead in pencils, is commonly associated with preliminary sketches and studies, offering a glimpse into the artist's process. Here, its unassuming presence underscores the dignity of labor. The sketch captures the figures and their actions with economical lines. The figures, bent to their toil, seem almost monumental despite the sketch's lightness of touch. By choosing this medium, Witsen elevated the everyday struggles of agricultural workers to the realm of art, blurring the lines between the mundane and the monumental. The sketch serves not merely as a preparatory work, but as a testament to the dignity of the working class, inviting us to appreciate the value of labor often overlooked in traditional fine art.