Rivierlandschap 1800 - 1950

This river landscape was etched by Monogrammist JB, capturing an elusive moment by the water. Look at the trees – they are not just trees, but ancient symbols of life, growth, and connection between the earthly and the divine. The motif of trees appears throughout art history, from the Tree of Life in ancient mythologies to the symbolic trees in Renaissance paintings. Consider, for instance, the many depictions of the crucifixion, where the cross itself becomes a 'tree' of suffering and redemption. Trees elicit an emotional response, representing a deep-seated longing for stability. In the romantic era, the tree became the emblem of longing, and the unachievable. Notice the stark, barren tree on the right side of the picture, and its emotional effect on the observer. It is a reminder of mortality and the cyclical nature of life. These symbols are not static, their meanings ever shifting in our collective memory.