Bladene i Skoven blev gule og brune... 1928

Fritz Syberg sketched "Bladene i Skoven blev gule og brune..." with ink, capturing a forest scene where trees stand like solemn figures at the edge of the landscape. Consider the forest as a symbol—a motif deeply embedded in the human psyche across cultures and ages. From the dark woods of fairy tales, home to witches and unknown dangers, to the sacred groves of ancient rituals, the forest has always been a place of both fear and reverence. Look at how these trees are rendered. They are not merely botanical specimens, but rather, they become guardians, sentinels. Think of the ancient Greeks and Romans, who saw forests as the domain of gods like Artemis or Diana. The forest is not just a backdrop but a stage where the drama of life, death, and renewal unfolds. It evokes a primeval, almost instinctual response. It reminds us of the cyclical nature of life, the perpetual return, the 'Nachleben' or after-life of images.