Boerderij aan een vaart before 1815

This etching, "Farm on a canal" was made by Hermanus van Brussel in the late 18th or early 19th century. The scene is anchored by the farmhouse, its solid form a symbol of stability and rootedness. The image is softened by trees and clouds, suggesting the eternal cycles of nature. The farmhouse motif, repeated throughout art history, reflects a deep-seated human yearning for home. From ancient Roman frescoes depicting rural villas to the humble cottages in medieval tapestries, the image of a dwelling connects us to our primal need for shelter and belonging. Think of the Romantic painters like Constable, who portrayed the English countryside. Van Brussel’s farmhouse, like Constable's, captures a sense of nostalgia. This etching reminds us that such symbols are not fixed, but continually evolve, carrying with them echoes of the past while reflecting the anxieties and aspirations of the present.