Boerderij met ingestort rieten dak 1620

Claes Jansz. Visscher created this print, "Farmhouse with Collapsed Reed Roof," around the early 17th century. The eye is immediately drawn to the dilapidated structure, where the heavy thatched roof seems to merge with the very ground it stands on. Visscher's use of etching brings out a remarkable density of line, a technique that defines the textures of both the natural and built environment. Notice how the roof's collapse isn't just a depiction of decay, but an exploration of form and material. The thatched roof is not simply a covering, but a textured surface that interacts with light and shadow. This creates a sense of volume that challenges our understanding of architectural stability. The rural setting and everyday figures are coded in a visual language that speaks to broader themes of nature, time, and the poetics of decline. Visscher presents us with a visual puzzle that reflects the transient nature of existence.