Boerenwoning met een rieten kap 1842 - 1868

Johannes Tavenraat made this drawing of a "Farmhouse with a Thatched Roof" sometime in the 19th century. During this period, the Netherlands saw significant social and economic changes, including a growing divide between urban and rural life. Tavenraat's choice to depict a humble farmhouse invites us to consider the lives of those who lived in the countryside. The thatched roof and simple construction speak to a life of labor and closeness to the land. But it’s also important to acknowledge the romanticization of rural life that was common in art at this time. While seemingly a simple depiction, the drawing hints at broader questions about identity, class, and the changing landscape of the Netherlands. It’s a reminder to consider the stories behind the places we see and the people who call them home.