Roeiboot op het water voor een boerderij 1865 - 1910

This etching, "Rowboat on the Water in Front of a Farmhouse," was created by Louis Adolphe Jacobs. The small scale and monochromatic palette create a sense of intimacy. Notice how the composition is divided horizontally into thirds, with the sky, land, and water each occupying a distinct band. This structure lends a sense of balance to the piece, yet the blurred lines and indistinct forms disrupt any clear, defined meaning. Jacobs employs a semiotic language, the rowboat becomes a signifier, perhaps of journeys or transitions, while the farmhouse could represent stability or home. However, the ambiguity and lack of detail mean these symbols remain open to interpretation. In its formal and thematic openness, the artwork questions fixed meanings, inviting viewers to engage in an active process of meaning-making. As such, this etching presents a space for ongoing dialogue and re-evaluation.