Gezicht op een huis aan het water 1828 - 1839

Paulus Lauters created this print of a house by the water using etching in the 19th century. The house with its prominent tower, acts as a stoic figure, a silent sentinel, and the water reflects the architecture, creating a mirror image that doubles the visual weight. Throughout history, water has served as both a literal and symbolic boundary. In ancient Greece, rivers like the Styx marked the boundary between the living and the dead. Here, in Lauters' etching, water seems to both isolate and protect the house, endowing it with a sense of detachment. Reflections in art also bring a sense of introspection. Think of Narcissus, who wasted away staring at his own reflection. The house's double in the water could suggest a deeper meditation on the nature of home. What secrets might it hold?