Landscape with Cypresses and Pines on a Rocky Coast 

Konstantinos Parthenis painted this oil on canvas, entitled ‘Landscape with Cypresses and Pines on a Rocky Coast’. The cypress, with its dark, slender form, has long been a symbol of mourning and remembrance, deeply rooted in ancient Greek and Roman traditions. We see it standing tall, reaching towards the sky. Juxtapose this with the pine, a symbol of vitality and immortality, frequently associated with Pan, the god of the wild. These trees have transcended their natural forms to become potent symbols. In classical antiquity, the cypress graced funereal monuments, while the pine was celebrated in festive rites. This duality evokes the interplay between life and death, joy and sorrow. The emotional resonance of these symbols is profound; they awaken feelings inherited across generations, subconscious memories that tie us to the ancients. Parthenis masterfully plays upon this collective memory, inviting us to reflect on the cyclical nature of existence and the enduring power of nature to mirror our innermost emotions.