Old Anna 1895

Carl Larsson created this watercolour artwork "Old Anna" at an unknown date. The open doorway, a portal to the domestic sphere, is the dominant motif, inviting us to peer into the life within. This threshold echoes ancient Roman domestic shrines, the "lararium," where household gods were venerated, ensuring the family's well-being. But here, it is not gods that are revered but the quiet industry of Old Anna, her presence softened, tending to the household’s needs. Note the inscription above the door, a celebratory message that highlights the virtues of home and family, values deeply embedded in the cultural psyche. The motif of the hearth to the right takes us back to the primal importance of the fireplace as the center of home life. The warm glow within and the wood fuel evokes not just physical warmth but also a sense of psychological comfort and security. This symbol resurfaces time and again, adapting to new cultural needs, but always carrying the embers of its original, life-sustaining significance.