Boerderij met ingestort rieten dak 1614

This print, “Farmhouse with Collapsed Reed Roof”, was made by Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert using engraving, a technique that demands great patience and skill. Look closely, and you will notice how the density of engraved lines creates areas of light and shadow, giving the image depth. This isn’t just a picture of a dilapidated farmhouse, but a commentary on labor and the lives of rural people. Bolswert highlights the very material of the dwelling: the thatched roof, and roughly hewn timbers held together with what appears to be mud. Notice, too, the ladder propped against the collapsing roof – it's not just structural support, but a reminder of the constant labor required to keep such a building intact. Even the figures in the landscape, burdened with their loads, reinforce this theme. This print elevates the ordinary, urging us to consider the social context of labor and the built environment. It challenges us to recognize the value and effort embedded in the everyday structures that shape our lives.