Landschap met bomen langs een rivier c. 1850 - 1883

Jerôme Tuyttens created this landscape with trees along a river, capturing a serene scene through delicate lines. Dominating the composition are the trees along the riverbank, acting as silent witnesses. The tree as a symbol echoes through countless cultures, representing life, growth, and connection between the earthly and spiritual realms. Consider the Tree of Life, a motif spanning Assyrian carvings to medieval tapestries, or the Norse Yggdrasil, linking heaven, earth, and hell. Here, in this seemingly simple landscape, the trees evoke a deeper resonance. They are not merely botanical elements; they are guardians of memory. The river, too, has symbolic weight. Flowing water is the passage of time, of constant change, yet also continuity. Through this image, Tuyttens taps into a primal, collective memory, engaging us on a subconscious level. It's a reminder that symbols are never static; they evolve, adapt, and resurface, carrying echoes of the past into the present.