Vlaamse hoeve 1888

James Ensor etched this print of a Flemish farmhouse in 1888. The tranquil scene draws on archetypes of rural life that stretch back millennia. At the center, the thatched roof is a potent symbol. Consider its resonance: in Northern Europe, thatch was not merely a building material, but a marker of home. Across cultures, the roof itself symbolizes shelter and protection. Think of the Roman goddess Tectona, guardian of roofs and buildings, or the simple gable roofs depicted on ancient pottery, signaling not just structure, but refuge. Ensor’s image taps into this deep-seated connection, evoking a primordial sense of security. This isn’t merely a house; it’s a repository of collective memory, a space where the past dwells.