Stal met een omheining bij een boom 1842 - 1868

This pencil drawing by Johannes Tavenraat presents a humble rural scene, with a shed sheltered by a robust tree. The tree, an archetypal symbol of life, knowledge, and connection, stands guard over a small structure, possibly a stable, hinting at the nurturing of life. The image reminds me of the "axis mundi," the world axis seen in ancient mythologies, often represented as a tree or pole connecting the earthly and spiritual realms. Notice how the tree dominates the composition, its gnarled branches reaching out like protective arms. This echoes the symbolism found in medieval tapestries and illuminated manuscripts, where trees often signified shelter, growth, and divine presence. Tavenraat, perhaps unknowingly, taps into our collective memory, evoking a deep, subconscious connection to nature's nurturing power, reminding us of the cyclical nature of life and its enduring symbols.