Tree c. 1903

This is an etching by Abraham Walkowitz titled "Tree". At first glance, it's just a tree, but look again, and you'll see the ancient symbol of the World Tree, Yggdrasil, a motif stretching back into the depths of human history. In Norse mythology, Yggdrasil connects the heavens, the earth, and the underworld. It's a potent emblem of interconnectedness. Now, consider how the barren branches reach skyward—a gesture of yearning, echoing the supplicating arms of praying figures in early Christian art. This posture, laden with hope and despair, appears across cultures, a silent plea embedded in our collective memory. The image conveys a sense of starkness, a raw emotional landscape akin to the existential angst found in the works of Edvard Munch. The tree, weathered and enduring, becomes a vessel for our deepest anxieties and hopes. Observe how it has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.