Knotwilgen aan de Bergweg bij Rotterdam 1862 - 1864

This drawing, "Knotwilgen aan de Bergweg bij Rotterdam," was made by Johannes Tavenraat using pen and brown ink. Note the striking presence of the gnarled willow trees; their branches, stark against the sky, evoke a sense of resilience and endurance. The image of the tree has been a profound and ubiquitous symbol across cultures. It represents life, growth, and interconnectedness. Think of the Tree of Life, a motif found in ancient mythologies from around the world. The twisted forms of these Rotterdam willows, however, also hint at struggle. Consider too, how the skeletal branches in Tavenraat’s sketch mirror similar motifs in Northern Renaissance art, such as in the works of Dürer, where barren trees might symbolize mortality or spiritual trial. These archetypal images tap into our collective memory, resonating with deep-seated feelings about the passage of time and the cyclical nature of existence. Their continued appearance attests to their timeless symbolic power.