Bauernhaus unter Bäumen an einem Weg, der mit einem Zaun eingefasst ist 

Jan Evert Grave created this tranquil ink drawing of a farmhouse in the countryside sometime in the late 18th century. His life coincided with a period of significant political and social upheaval. The Dutch Republic, where Grave lived, was on the brink of collapse, soon to be invaded by France. It’s tempting to read this drawing through the lens of these historical tensions. The image of a humble dwelling, set against a backdrop of rolling hills, speaks to ideas of simplicity and tradition. Grave seems to be searching for an idyllic rural escape, but also an assertion of Dutch identity rooted in the land. There's a quiet dignity in the woman standing at the doorway, a shepherd attending his flock, and the two figures walking the fields with a rifle. The drawing evokes a powerful sense of longing for a simpler time amidst the backdrop of revolution. Look at the way Grave carefully renders the textures of the thatched roof and the rough-hewn logs of the farmhouse. It seems to say something about the value of honest labor and the beauty of everyday life. This piece offers us a glimpse into a world on the cusp of change.