A Roof Over Our Head







This peaceful oil on canvas by H Hutchinson is of a rural Victorian cottage interior and is probably set in Yorkshire (where the artist also painted a cottage exterior). I love the calm simplicity of it all. It almost looks like a stage set. The old lady is at the centre of the canvas, although it’s actually the fireplace which first drew my eye. It’s hard to imagine that people lived like this only a few generations ago. No television, mobile phones, computers, internet – not to mention  electricity or running water indoors! But this is a good solid, clean and well organised house – in fact it’s more than that, it’s a home and it has been lived in for many years - as seen on the floor which has been worn away by many feet trekking in and out of the front door to the hearth and to the lambing chair to the left of the painting.

A stew is cooking in the pot ready for when the others get back from their toils. I think the old lady has dropped off for a snooze whilst mending someone’s shirt. On closer inspection it can be seen that there are all manner of useful utensils in their proper place as well as plates in the plate rack, a family portrait on the mantelpiece and flowers on the windowsill.

Life’s not easy but they have a good roof over their heads, a strong front door, fresh food and the home fires are burning.

I think that for all its simplicity the house in this painting is full of blessings in its own way – there’s no place like home.