Huizen te Rijswijk 1895

Willem Cornelis Rip sketched "Huizen te Rijswijk" with graphite, capturing a seemingly simple countryside scene. Yet, within this tranquil depiction of houses and trees, echoes of cultural memory resonate. Note the prominent tree looming over the houses. Across cultures, trees have symbolized life, growth, and connection to ancestral roots. This symbol can be traced back to ancient mythology. In Germanic traditions, the world tree Yggdrasil connects the heavens, earth, and underworld. Similarly, the tree of knowledge in Judeo-Christian tradition represents wisdom and the fall of man. The houses, huddled beneath the tree’s protective canopy, evoke a sense of shelter and community. This is archetypal of a longing for security, a theme that runs through art history, symbolizing humanity’s collective desire for safety. This seemingly simple sketch thus embodies profound cultural meanings.