Vervallen huizen 1773 - 1843

Georges Michel made this pencil drawing titled 'Vervallen huizen', or 'Dilapidated Houses', sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. Michel lived through the French Revolution, and he came of age during a period of immense social upheaval. The drawing depicts what appears to be a cluster of ruined buildings on a flat plane. These buildings, with their crumbling walls and open roofs, evoke a sense of abandonment. Michel’s choice of subject matter reflects an interest in the theme of decay, a theme quite common in the aftermath of revolution and war. The quick, loose pencil strokes give the image a fleeting, almost dreamlike quality, as if these buildings are fading from memory. Michel’s drawing invites us to reflect on the passage of time and the impact of historical events on the physical landscape. It captures a sense of loss and the ephemeral nature of human constructions.