Forest Entrance at Ville d'Avray 

Here we see "Forest Entrance at Ville d'Avray", painted by Camille Corot, capturing a serene forest scene with oil on canvas. Note the presence of the dominant tree, a symbol deeply rooted in human consciousness since antiquity. Across cultures, the tree embodies life, growth, and connection between the earthly and the divine, with its roots reaching deep into the earth and branches stretching towards the heavens. This motif echoes in the Tree of Life across mythologies, from ancient Mesopotamian art to the Norse Yggdrasil. Consider its presence in Gustav Klimt's paintings, too, or even reconfigured into the abstract symbolism of Piet Mondrian. Though stylized, we can recognize that its symbolic connection to vitalism remains. The forest in this painting is not merely a collection of trees but a space of contemplation and introspection. It invites us to reflect on our place in the natural world and how our collective memory is deeply embedded with the symbol of the tree. It offers a glimpse into the powerful subconscious forces that shape our understanding of the world.