Huis met de drie schoorstenen c. 1650 - 1660

Pieter de With created this etching, "House with Three Chimneys," sometime in the 17th century, a period when the Dutch Republic was a major maritime power, and there was a growing merchant class. It’s interesting to see how landscape art served not just as a depiction of the physical world, but also as a reflection of cultural values and societal changes. De With's choice to depict a humble, rural scene departs from more traditional, idealized landscapes. The house, with its somewhat ramshackle appearance, feels very grounded. The dark lines used to create the image evoke a sense of the everyday, turning away from grand narratives to focus on ordinary life. It invites reflection on the lives of those who inhabited such spaces, and their place within the broader social fabric of the time. Does this intimate portrayal encourage us to reconsider what is worth valuing and preserving?