The Pool at Jas de Bouffan c. 1885 - 1886

Paul Cézanne's painting captures a serene scene at Jas de Bouffan, dominated by the motif of water—a pool and a fountain. Water, as a symbol, has ancient roots, representing purification, life, and the subconscious depths of the human psyche. Notice how Cézanne places the fountain almost centrally, flanked by the stoic trees. This juxtaposition reminds me of classical depictions of nymphs and sacred groves, where water sources were venerated as gateways to another realm. Consider the Nymph of the Source by Lucas Cranach the Elder. Here, the nymph is intimately connected to the spring, embodying nature's life-giving force. The way Cézanne captures the play of light on water and foliage evokes a feeling of perpetual renewal. It is an emotional landscape that speaks to the subconscious yearning for harmony and continuity. The image resurfaces in our minds, evolving from the past and into new contexts, carrying with it an intrinsic connection to nature's cyclical rhythms.