Cottage on the Shore of a Pond c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Edmund Koken's "Cottage on the Shore of a Pond," etched using delicate lines to depict what looks like a humble dwelling. What materials were likely used to construct the cottage, and how did those available resources shape its design? Curator: The etching gives us a clue, focusing on readily available local materials. Straw for the roof, perhaps wattle and daub for the walls. The very process of building reflects the community’s relationship with its environment and available labor. Editor: So the cottage isn’t just a picture, but a record of resourcefulness? Curator: Precisely. It embodies the social context of its creation. Editor: I never thought about a building as a product of labor like that. Thanks!