Wooded Landscape with Herdsmen near a River c. 1657 - 1670

Roelant Roghman created this drawing of a wooded landscape with herdsmen near a river using pen and brown ink with a grey wash. The trees, particularly the large one dominating the right side, are powerful symbols of nature's enduring presence. This motif of the dominant tree can be traced back through art history, reappearing in landscapes from various cultures, each time echoing a connection to roots, growth, and the passage of time. Consider, for instance, the sacred tree in ancient mythologies, often representing the axis mundi, the center of the world, linking the earthly and the divine. Over time, while the explicit religious symbolism may fade, the tree still carries this subconscious association, representing stability and life's interconnectedness. The lone herdsman by the river triggers a deep emotional response within us, a primal connection with nature, a reminder of our own fleeting existence within the grand scheme of the cosmos. The image evokes a sense of melancholy and contemplation. It serves as a reminder of how symbols cycle through time, constantly reshaped by cultural shifts and individual interpretations, yet retaining echoes of their ancient power.