Bei einem Haus ein großer Baum, vorne drei Figuren und ein Hund Possibly 1669

Lucas van Uden’s drawing presents a landscape dominated by a grand tree near a house, with figures and a dog in the foreground, rendered in delicate watercolor. The tree, a symbol of life and shelter, also hints at something more profound. We see this symbol echoed through art history, from ancient mythologies where sacred groves represented divine presence, to later Romantic paintings where solitary trees embodied the sublime power of nature. Note how van Uden’s tree is not merely an arboreal element, but a silent observer, anchoring the scene with its imposing presence. The figures beneath seem almost dwarfed, caught in its shadow. This recalls Freud’s observations on primal imagery—the tree as a universal symbol, rooted in our collective unconscious. It echoes through time, evolving yet retaining its core essence, its emotional resonance, and engaging us in a visual narrative that transcends centuries.