Oak trees 

Heinrich Rieter’s “Oak Trees” is a drawing made with pen and gray ink, a study of nature from an artist working in late 18th century Switzerland. Rieter was invested in the natural world, at a time when the Enlightenment interest in reason was shifting towards Romanticism’s focus on emotion and the sublimity of nature. Here, the oak tree is depicted standing alone, taking up most of the picture plane, as if asserting its presence. The drawing carefully renders the details of the foliage and bark, conveying both the strength and delicacy of the tree, its roots deeply embedded into the earth, and the upper branches, reaching for the sky. Oak trees have long held symbolic weight in European culture, representing strength, endurance, and longevity. Rieter's decision to portray these trees may reflect a deeper connection to his homeland. In a world of social and political upheaval, Rieter's trees could offer a symbol of stability and resilience. The image invites us to reflect on our own relationship with nature, and how we find grounding and meaning in the world around us.