Gezicht op een vallei met boerderijen in Schotland before 1863

This photogravure by Thomas Ogle presents a valley with farmhouses in Scotland. The thatched roofs of these humble dwellings strike me as emblems of shelter and community. Throughout history, the roof has symbolized protection, not merely from the elements but also as a boundary between the domestic sphere and the outside world. Consider its echoes in the biblical narrative of Noah's Ark or the protective gables of ancient Roman temples. In those structures, the roof was less about keeping out the elements and more about keeping chaos at bay. Similarly, in Scotland, the thatched roof represented not just a home, but resilience against the unforgiving landscape, a place to preserve ancient cultural and spiritual traditions. The image, therefore, taps into a deep-seated longing for security, a primal echo resonating with the collective memory of seeking refuge. This visual element provides a connection to our ancestors, a longing for simpler times, and the enduring human spirit. The symbolic power of the roof continues its cyclical journey through our collective consciousness.