Country work does not exhibit a great variety of building materials. Bricks, being made from the natural product and consequently readily available, were principally used for the walls. Rather than left in their normal state, they were often thinly coated with plaster on the outer face, and the lower parts, for about two feet upwards from the ground, were tarred. Houses and cottages of this description together form a characteristic group in the country architecture of Holland. They were built upon a traditional system which grew out of the accumulated experience that was transmitted from generation to generation. Customary examples are shown in the two drawings from Beek (pages [74] and [76]), and by that from Broek in Waterland (page [78]). The farmhouse from Brigdamme (page [75]) is of a similar character; at the entrance are two stone gate-piers, dated 1622. Two influences are to be traced in the farm at Bloemendaal (page [77]). The main building has the white plastered walls and large roof—which in this case comes forward to cover an open verandah—while the adjoining gable is of natural coloured bricks and more in the style of town work.
WELL AT BEUGEN, NORTH BRABANT
Houses with wooden walls are prevalent, especially in North Holland. Upon a low brick wall, tarred, and varying in height from 18 to 30 inches, the timber frame was erected. Boards were simply nailed to it and the framing was commonly left exposed to view on the exterior. The boarding was well coated with paint or tar for protection against the weather. A roof of thatch or tiles, well projecting at the eaves, covered the whole. There was thus provided, by simple and economical means, a type of building well suited for its purpose. The village of Broek has many examples of timber houses, such as those here given on page [79]; while near by, at Monnikendam, Volendam, and on the Island of Marken, are numerous others.
“THE MIRROR”. from an oil painting by CATHERINE BISSCHOP-SWIFT.
(In the Municipal Museum, Amsterdam.)
BEEK, GELDERLAND