The rice buttonwood, Charlemont before 1890

Henry Brooks created this photogravure titled ‘The Rice Buttonwood, Charlemont’. At its heart, we find the archetypal symbol of the tree. In nearly every culture, the tree represents the axis mundi, a cosmic pillar connecting the earth to the heavens. It's a symbol of life, growth, and interconnectedness. Think of Yggdrasil, the World Tree in Norse mythology, or the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden. Here, the tree's massive trunk dominates the scene, its rough bark a testament to time and resilience. This enduring symbol elicits a deep psychological resonance. The image touches our collective memories, echoing the forests of our ancestors and symbolizing our place within the natural world. This symbol is ever-present, it embodies endurance, wisdom, and the continuous cycle of life.