Groepje huizen 1874 - 1925

This sketch of clustered houses, simply rendered by Jan Veth, presents a seemingly ordinary scene, yet it resonates with deeper, more primordial echoes. The houses, huddled together with pointed roofs, evoke a sense of shelter and community, but also a primal fear of the outside world. Consider the recurring image of the house throughout history. From ancient Roman villas protected by household gods to Medieval fortified dwellings, the house symbolizes not just physical protection but psychological safety. The pointed roofs might also echo the protective gestures seen in depictions of the Madonna sheltering humanity under her mantle, albeit in a secular guise. These architectural forms become vessels of memory, carrying the emotional weight of generations who sought refuge within them. Veth's sketch, with its unassuming subject, taps into this collective subconscious, reminding us of the enduring human need for home and security. It is a symbol that continuously resurfaces, reflecting our evolving relationship with the idea of shelter.