Landschap met bomen 1636 - 1695

Nicolas Perelle created this landscape with trees, sometime in the 17th century, using etching. At first glance, we see an idyllic scene, but the dominant trees command our attention. Trees, universally symbols of life, growth, and connection between heaven and earth, have varied in meaning across cultures. Think of the Tree of Life. These arboreal figures, however, are bent and gnarled. We have seen in classical art that upright trees convey strength and stability. Yet, here, the trees lean and twist, echoing images of the Fall. The landscape, while beautiful, carries with it a sense of melancholy, a reflection perhaps of humanity's broken relationship with nature. Such imagery resurfaces time and again, from ancient myths to contemporary art. The symbols evolve, but the underlying emotions—a mixture of awe, fear, and longing—remain potent, speaking to our deepest anxieties and aspirations.