Ein Bauerngut an einem Flüßchen 1744

Johann Ludwig Aberli captured this farmstead by a stream with pen and gray ink. The dominant symbol here is the chimney, an upright structure emanating smoke. Historically, the hearth and chimney have been central to domestic life, symbolizing warmth, nourishment, and the continuity of the home. The chimney's presence invites us to consider its evolution through time. From ancient Roman hearths, where the sacred flame burned, to modern times, it has been a conduit connecting the earthly and the ethereal. The smoke rising from the chimney is not merely the byproduct of a fire, but a visual representation of human activity and the ever-present drive to transform nature for our purposes. Consider the psychological weight of this image: the smoke signals comfort and stability, yet its fleeting nature reminds us of the ephemeral quality of life itself. It is through symbols like these that we are connected to the long chain of human experience, each image resonating with echoes of the past.