Sketches, Fragment: Peasant Seated at the Foot of a Tree after 1863

Here we observe a sketch by Jean-François Millet, of a peasant seated at the foot of a tree. The tree in art has long served as a profound symbol, deeply rooted in cultural and religious contexts. From the Tree of Knowledge in biblical lore to the sacred groves of ancient cultures, the tree represents life, growth, and connection between the earthly and divine. In Millet's sketch, the tree offers a place of rest for the peasant. The tree is both shelter and witness. Reflect on the symbolism of the tree across different epochs and cultures—consider the Nordic Yggdrasil, connecting the nine worlds, or the Bodhi tree, under which Buddha attained enlightenment. The peasant and the tree – Millet seems to be invoking a timeless, archetypal connection between humanity and nature, tapping into our collective memory. A motif that speaks to something fundamental in the human psyche.