Oude schuur met rieten dak 1890 - 1946

Cornelis Vreedenburgh rendered this etching of an old thatched barn, sometime between the late 19th and mid-20th century. Vreedenburgh, who lived through both World Wars, frequently captured serene, rural Dutch landscapes, perhaps as a form of escapism or as a way to document a disappearing way of life. The thatched roof and weathered wood of the barn speak to traditional building methods, deeply rooted in the Dutch countryside. Look closely and consider how the simplicity of the scene invites us to reflect on the relationship between the land and its people. The subtle lines of the etching evoke a sense of nostalgia, reminding us of the unadorned beauty and quiet dignity of rural life. This work is a gentle, almost reverent nod to the past.