Boerderij aan het water 1860 - 1935

Louis Apol crafted this etching of a farmhouse by the water, now held in the Rijksmuseum. The most striking feature is the thatched roof. From ancient times, thatch has symbolized shelter and the primal human need for protection against the elements. We find similar motifs across cultures, from the simple huts of ancient tribes to the more elaborate structures in medieval tapestries, each echoing a fundamental connection to nature and home. Yet, the thatched roof in Apol’s etching also carries a sense of impermanence. Unlike stone, thatch decays, requiring constant renewal, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life and the inevitable return to the earth. This duality engages our collective memory, stirring subconscious feelings of comfort and the poignant awareness of life's transient nature. As you view this etching, consider how Apol uses this timeless symbol to evoke emotions that resonate across centuries.