Drie dode bomen op een heuvel 1741 - 1799

Jean Joseph Hanson's etching presents us with a landscape dominated by three dead trees upon a hill. In a scene rendered with stark clarity, these trees, stripped of their foliage, stand as potent symbols of mortality and decay. Such imagery is not isolated. Across epochs, cultures have employed the barren tree as a memento mori, a stark reminder of life's transient nature. From ancient funerary art to the paintings of the Renaissance, the motif persists, echoing humanity's awareness of its own ephemerality. These symbols tap into what we might call a collective memory. The leafless tree, recurring in diverse artistic traditions, engages viewers on a subconscious level. The emotional resonance is undeniable. These symbols can be tied to the cyclical progression of the seasons. It speaks to a profound connection between the human psyche and the natural world, inviting contemplation on the inevitable passage of time and the ever-present shadow of death.