Weilanden en bomen 1893

Hermannus Adrianus van Oosterzee sketched “Weilanden en bomen” with charcoal, and the artwork resonates with nature's symbols of life and continuity. The trees, with their reaching branches, are depicted in a manner that evokes the ancient motif of the 'arbor vitae', or tree of life. This symbol, traceable across cultures from ancient Egypt to Norse mythology, is a recurring theme, representing immortality and the connection between the earthly and divine realms. Notice how the branches reach upwards, reminiscent of the gesture of supplication. Consider how similar gestures appear in classical depictions of praying figures, where raised hands are a universal sign of seeking communion with a higher power. These motifs tap into our collective memory, stirring emotions tied to growth, aspiration, and spiritual connection, and drawing on the human subconscious. It is the cyclical progression of symbols—reappearing, evolving, and taking on new meanings—that connects us to the past.