Moritzburger Teiche Possibly 1909

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner captured this landscape, Moritzburger Teiche, using colored crayons. Observe the trees rendered as vertical strokes of blue and green. The tree, a symbol of life and growth, has been revered across cultures. The "tree of life" motif, for instance, appears in ancient Assyrian art and Norse mythology, connecting the earthly and divine realms. Here, the seemingly simple image of trees might also evoke subconscious memories. Consider the primal connection humans have with forests – places of shelter, mystery, and transformation. The expressive use of color engages our emotions on a fundamental level, mirroring how certain landscapes can stir deep feelings of peace, longing, or awe. This emotional resonance speaks to the cyclical return of nature's motifs in art, each time colored by the unique experiences of its creator and the spirit of its age.