Boom langs een sloot before 1912

This photogravure, "Boom langs een sloot", was made by Henry W. Taunt in the late 19th or early 20th century. At the center, a tree stands barren, its starkness reminiscent of the Tree of Knowledge. Its branches, reaching skyward, evoke a sense of reaching for wisdom, yet also of vulnerability and exposure, symbolizing life's continuous search for meaning. Consider how similar motifs appear in medieval tapestries or Renaissance paintings, where trees often symbolize genealogy, spiritual growth, or the interconnectedness of life. In those contexts, and here, the tree becomes a powerful emblem, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. The cyclical progression of this symbol is non-linear: it resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts, yet retains a core resonance that speaks to our shared human experience.