Boom 1842 - 1868

This is "Boom," a pencil drawing by Johannes Tavenraat. What we see here is a lone tree. The tree, a universal symbol of life, growth, and connection between the earthly and spiritual realms, resonates deeply within our collective consciousness. The tree’s stark presence evokes powerful emotions and ideas. In ancient cultures, the tree was often seen as the axis mundi, the center of the world, a concept echoed in Norse mythology with Yggdrasil, the world tree connecting heaven, earth, and hell. The symbolism of the tree has persisted and evolved. Consider the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden, representing wisdom and the fall of man, or the Bodhi tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. Over time, the tree has become intertwined with notions of family, lineage, and personal growth, its roots symbolizing our past and its branches our potential. The solitary tree here invites introspection, its simple yet profound form mirroring the complexities of our inner lives, a testament to the enduring power of symbols across cultures and time.