Zitkamer met palm c. 1925

This watercolor of a sitting room with a palm tree was created in the 20th century by an artist known only as Monogrammist HK. The technique itself is interesting: watercolor is often seen as a preliminary medium, used for sketches and studies rather than finished works. Here, the thin washes and delicate lines suggest a quick impression, yet the level of detail – in the furniture, the textiles, even the garden visible through the window – suggests a careful attention. Considered in relation to the broader social context, this work reflects a tension between industrial production and handcraft. On the one hand, the room is filled with machine-made objects, from the perfectly turned chair legs to the precisely woven rug. Yet, the artist's touch, the subtle variations in color and tone, remind us that even in a world of mass production, the individual's perspective still matters. The overall effect is not just a depiction of a room, but a reflection on the changing nature of domestic life.