Landschaft mit einer Ruine, links ein hoher Baum, im Vordergrund zwei Wanderer 

Friedrich Rauscher painted this landscape with tempera on paper; observe the ruin which dominates the scene, a symbol pregnant with meaning. In Rauscher's time, ruins were a popular motif representing the transience of human achievements and the inevitable decay that time inflicts. This fascination echoes through centuries, harking back to the classical world, where ruins evoked contemplation on past grandeur. Think of the Roman ruins depicted in Renaissance art, symbols of lost empires and the vanity of human ambition. Here, the ruin is not just a stone structure but a vessel carrying cultural memory. Its crumbling walls speak to the cyclical nature of history, a poignant reminder that even the mightiest structures eventually return to dust. This echoes the psychological concept of the "memento mori," urging us to reflect on our mortality. These images engage us on a subconscious level, stirring deep emotional and psychological responses that transcend time. This symbol resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.