Farmhouse 1875 - 1877

Wilhelm Leibl etched this farmhouse, a seemingly simple abode, in the late 19th century. The thatched roof looms large, a primal symbol of shelter and protection. Historically, the house as a motif carries immense weight. It is the stage for humanity’s most intimate dramas, a vessel of family, memory, and tradition. This dwelling, shrouded by bare trees, evokes a sense of introspection. The overhanging roof is similar to the winged helmet that adorns the head of Mercury in Renaissance paintings. Like Mercury, the archetype of messenger and guide, the farmhouse can be seen to be a symbol for finding our path. Consider how such structures appear in folklore across cultures, often imbued with a sense of foreboding, or hope. The house and what it contains becomes a focal point for our collective anxieties and desires. It represents not only physical safety but also the fragile construction of our inner lives. It resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.