Hut met een rieten dak c. 1864 - 1867

Maria Vos created this drawing, "Hut met een rieten dak," using pen in gray ink, capturing a rustic thatched-roof hut. The composition, dominated by diagonal lines, creates a dynamic yet informal atmosphere. The use of gray ink gives the scene a monochromatic quality, emphasizing texture and form over color. Vos masterfully employs hatching and cross-hatching to delineate the hut's rough texture and the surrounding foliage. The diagonal lines of the roof contrast with the more vertical lines of the supporting beams, creating a visual tension that prevents the scene from appearing static. Note how Vos plays with light and shadow, using darker lines to suggest depth and volume, particularly in the thatched roof and wooden structure. The sparseness of the foreground draws our attention to the detailed rendering of the hut itself, which invites contemplation on the simplicity and transience of rural life. The sketch is not just a depiction of a building but an exploration of form and texture. This work destabilizes any romantic readings of rural life, presenting it through a formal study of structure, light and shadow.