Huizen te Elst 1905 - 1910

This is a pencil drawing by Willem Cornelis Rip of houses in Elst. The depiction of a humble dwelling is a symbol deeply rooted in the human psyche. From ancient lore to contemporary art, the house appears time and again as a representation of shelter, security, and the self. The gabled roofs evoke a primal sense of protection, a sanctuary against the unknown. This architectural symbol can be traced back through the ages. Consider its presence in medieval tapestries or Renaissance paintings, where houses formed the backdrop for moral allegories and domestic scenes. Even in our dreams, the house surfaces as a projection of our inner self, a container for our memories and fears. The rudimentary nature of these houses, coupled with the starkness of the surroundings, evokes a somber, almost melancholic sentiment. It resonates with our own yearning for belonging and the quiet desperation of seeking refuge in an impermanent world. The house is an emblem of our mortal existence, a silent witness to the cyclical nature of life and death, a motif ever-present in the vast theatre of human history.