Oxhey Woods, London Underground 1915

Edward McKnight Kauffer crafted this striking poster, 'Oxhey Woods,' for the London Underground. Note the trees, not merely as botanical specimens, but as potent symbols deeply rooted in our collective psyche. Since antiquity, trees have stood as emblems of life, growth, and connection between the earthly and divine realms. Consider the World Tree, Yggdrasil, in Norse mythology, its roots binding together the heavens, earth, and underworld. Similarly, in many cultures, trees are seen as ancestors, guardians, holding the wisdom of ages. In this poster, Kauffer simplifies but does not diminish this symbolism. The abstracted forms invite us to project our longings for nature, our subconscious desire for stability and continuity, onto the image. The woods become a space of both refuge and mystery, evoking a powerful emotional response, a primal connection to the natural world. This image invites one to take a journey that taps into deeply rooted cultural memories.