Poplars in the Sun 1891

Claude Monet captures a scene of poplars in the sun with oil on canvas. The trees, symbols of nature's resilience, stand tall against the sky. The image reminds me of the Tree of Life, a motif found in many cultures. In ancient Egypt, the acacia tree was seen as a symbol of life and death, while in Norse mythology, Yggdrasil connected the nine worlds. In Monet's painting, the trees are rooted in the earth, but also reflected in the water, doubling the image, and reminding us of our own fleeting existence. This reflects the emotional tension between stability and change. Trees may connect us to deep collective memories. They are silent witnesses to human history, and evoke powerful feelings of awe and introspection. Thus, the painting invites us to reflect on the ever-evolving cycle of nature, and its emotional weight, as it has evolved over time and resurfaced across cultures.