Gezicht op de Schie vanaf een boot 1874 - 1879

This simple pencil drawing was made by Johannes Tavenraat in 1874, capturing a fleeting view of the Schie River from a boat. What strikes me are the triangles created by the rooftops, simple geometric forms that subconsciously echo ancient symbols of stability and home. Consider the gable roof: its form, so ubiquitous in our landscapes, has roots stretching back to antiquity. From the peaked roofs of ancient temples to the humblest peasant dwellings, it has provided shelter, a basic human need, thereby becoming deeply embedded in our collective consciousness. The repetition of this triangular shape across different cultures and eras speaks to the power of these primordial forms to evoke safety and belonging. Even in this quick sketch, Tavenraat's use of the roof gable pulls at these deeply rooted associations, engaging the viewer's subconscious on a profound level, across time.