Cottage among Trees c. 1650s - 1660s

Curator: Jan Lievens' "Cottage among Trees," held here at the Harvard Art Museums, presents a rustic scene in brown ink. What strikes you initially? Editor: The sheer density of the trees—they feel almost claustrophobic, enclosing the figures and that humble cottage. It's a powerful representation of how nature can both shelter and confine. Curator: Consider the socio-economic context. Lievens, a contemporary of Rembrandt, often depicted everyday life. These cottages were not idyllic retreats but homes for the working class. How does that shift our understanding? Editor: It casts a different light, doesn't it? The cottage is not picturesque. Instead, it's about access to resources and the politics of land ownership in 17th century Netherlands. The figures become less romantic, more emblematic of social realities. Curator: Precisely. The drawing itself becomes a document reflecting the social hierarchy. Editor: It is fascinating how Lievens used the landscape to represent more than just a pretty picture! I see this piece very differently now. Curator: The power of art history lies in its ability to unveil these hidden narratives.