Duinlandschap Possibly 1883 - 1886

This sketch of a dune landscape was captured by George Hendrik Breitner with pencil on paper. The most striking element here is the dominant presence of the tree. In art, the tree is a symbol deeply rooted in cultural memory, representing life, growth, and connection between the earth and the heavens. Think of the Tree of Life motif; ancient, universal, and charged with meaning. Breitner's tree is not one of life and abundance. Here the bareness evokes feelings of melancholy, the transience of life, and the inevitable decay that comes with time. The lone tree, stark against the landscape, invites us to contemplate our place in the natural world. It's a visual representation of solitude, yet also resilience. Through Breitner's sketch, the symbol of the tree becomes a mirror, reflecting our own emotional and psychological states, revealing layers of meaning that resonate across time.