Lange boerderij 1831 - 1888

Arnoud Schaepkens created this etching, depicting a long farmhouse, sometime between the early and mid-1800s. The house, a symbol of shelter and domesticity, is shrouded by the embracing arms of trees. The trees themselves, seemingly guardians of the home, remind one of similar motifs in ancient Roman art, where trees were often depicted alongside domestic scenes, evoking a sense of protection and natural harmony. Here, the solitary figure in front of the house engages in quiet labour, suggesting a life interwoven with nature's rhythms. The contrast of light and shadow further accentuates the psychological depth, drawing us into a dream-like space. Just as the serpent in ancient myths symbolizes both danger and transformation, the darkened woods evoke a sense of mystery. We are compelled to explore the interplay between safety and uncertainty, challenging our notions of what "home" truly means. The image lingers in the mind, surfacing again, transformed.