The Magrot House, Cuesmes (c. 1879-1880)

"The Magrot House, Cuesmes" is a pencil drawing by Vincent van Gogh, dating back to around 1879-1880. This artwork depicts a modest, somewhat isolated house characterized by its simple architectural features. The house has a steeply sloped, gabled roof with prominent chimneys, which suggests its adaptation to colder climates, possibly reflecting the regional architecture.The visual representation of the house shows it from an angle that captures two sides, offering a perspective view. Each side has symmetrically placed windows, with shutters partially visible. The texture of the walls and roof is lightly sketched, giving a rough, tactile feeling, indicative of van Gogh’s attention to detail and his ability to convey texture even through simple pencil strokes.The drawing overall carries a subdued, maybe somewhat melancholic atmosphere, which could be reflecting the artist’s state of mind or the general ambiance of the location during that time. Van Gogh’s use of light and shadow through varied pencil pressure helps to create depth and dimension, making the house appear both solid and lived-in.Trees are hinted at the left side of the drawing, suggesting the house’s setting in a rural or semi-rural landscape, further emphasizing a sense of solitude or quietude surrounding the dwelling.