Landschap met waterval en boerderij 1795 - 1831

Joseph Charles Cogels created this small etching, "Landscape with Waterfall and Farm," around the early 19th century. The composition presents a tranquil, idealized view of nature, where a modest farmhouse nestles harmoniously within a lush, wooded setting. The etching’s structure is defined by a contrast between the wildness of nature and the order of human cultivation. Note how the thatched roofs and rectangular forms of the farmhouse offer a geometric counterpoint to the organic shapes of the surrounding trees and rocks. Cogels uses line work to create texture, with dense, fine lines evoking the rough surfaces of the thatched roof and foliage. The waterfall, rendered with delicate strokes, adds a dynamic element to the otherwise still scene. The arrangement of elements invites us to reflect on the relationship between humanity and nature. The small scale emphasizes the cottage's integration into the landscape. Cogels seems to be commenting on the cultural perception of the countryside as a place of simple virtue.