Glen Forsa, Isle of Mull 1856 - 1860

Horatio Ross captured this photograph, Glen Forsa, Isle of Mull, using the collodion process, a technique that renders nature with an almost haunting clarity. Note the bare trees dominating the foreground. These stark, skeletal forms are more than mere botanical studies; they evoke the ancient motif of the "arbor philosophica"—the philosophical tree. This symbol appears across cultures, representing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. From medieval woodcuts to alchemical texts, the leafless tree signifies a period of dormancy, an inward turning before renewal. Consider how this symbol in Ross' photograph mirrors our own psychological landscapes; the bare trees reflect our periods of introspection and the confrontation with mortality. The power of this image lies in its ability to tap into this collective visual memory. It reminds us that symbols are never static; they evolve, resurface, and resonate anew in each historical context.