Print 1760 - 1780

This print was created by Isoda Koryūsai in eighteenth-century Japan, portraying two women on a veranda. Notice the deliberate placement of the pine tree beside them. In Japanese art, the pine is no mere botanical detail; it is a potent symbol of longevity, steadfastness, and resilience. This visual language of nature reminds us of the transience of human existence. We see echoes of similar symbolic uses of trees throughout art history, from the trees in Renaissance paintings that act as silent witnesses to pivotal moments, to the gnarled oaks in Romantic landscapes embodying nature's untamed power. Such recurring motifs suggest a collective memory, a universal language through which humanity grapples with life’s enduring questions. The serene expressions of the women evoke a sense of calm contemplation, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. This image reminds us that symbols are not static; they evolve, resurface, and take on new meanings, mirroring the ever-changing currents of human experience.