Rij bomen aan een waterkant 1848 - 1888

This drawing of trees along a shore by Anton Mauve captures the essence of a scene with minimal strokes. Trees, symbols of life and growth, have held spiritual meanings across cultures. Here, they stand in a row, a formation that suggests order but the raw, sketched lines introduce an element of untamed nature. Consider the "axis mundi," or world tree, a concept stretching from ancient Norse mythology to the sacred groves of classical antiquity. Trees often represent a connection between the earthly and the divine. Mauve's trees, reflected in the water, double this symbolism, hinting at hidden depths and mirrored realities. The psychological impact of such imagery is profound. The reflection acts as a visual echo, engaging our subconscious with themes of duality and introspection. This is more than a simple landscape; it's an invitation to ponder the cyclical nature of existence, where the past and present intertwine. The image resonates because the tree as a symbol continuously resurfaces, evolving across eras yet retaining its primal connection to life and mystery.