Landschap 1881 - 1927

This landscape drawing, made by Johan Antonie de Jonge, presents us with a study in contrasts. We see a dynamic interplay between the darkness of the woods on the right and the openness of the sky to the left. The stark, almost violent, strokes used to depict the trees evoke the ancient symbol of the forest as a place of mystery and danger. From the forests of ancient Germanic myths to the dark woods in fairy tales, this motif has long represented the untamed aspects of the human psyche. It's not unlike the shadowy realms explored by artists such as Caspar David Friedrich, where nature mirrors our deepest fears and longings. Yet, this darkness is balanced by the calm, open expanse of the sky. The image engages our subconscious, stirring primal emotions tied to the natural world, fear, but also hope. These symbols do not march in a linear fashion. They evolve and return, laden with new meanings, as we continue our journey through time.