Architectural project of private house. Side facade. 1860

This watercolor architectural sketch of a private house was made by Taras Shevchenko, the famous Ukrainian poet and artist, in 1860. It’s a seemingly simple rendering of a home, but created against the backdrop of 19th-century Ukraine, it becomes a poignant statement about identity and belonging. Shevchenko, born into serfdom, understood deeply the longing for a place to call one's own. His life was marked by a commitment to Ukrainian national identity, facing imprisonment and exile for his political beliefs. In this light, the house isn’t just a building; it's a symbol of the yearning for stability and cultural preservation in the face of oppression. Consider the emotional weight carried by such a basic structure when the right to own property, to have a safe haven, was not a given for many. Shevchenko gives form to the desire for a place to protect and nurture a cultural heritage constantly under threat. It encourages us to reflect on the intersection of personal space and national identity, while also inviting us to consider the profound emotional significance that the concept of ‘home’ can hold.