Le "Mas" 1929 - 1932

Andre Dunoyer de Segonzac's "Le 'Mas'" is rendered with stark lines creating images of a house, trees, and a solitary figure in an etching technique. The composition, dominated by the silhouettes of the trees, evokes a sense of temporal layering. The motif of the tree has historically been associated with life and wisdom but here, the bare branches may represent the decay of life, or perhaps just the stark realities of the landscape in which this house exists. The house as a sanctuary is a symbol of a need for shelter which is as old as humanity itself. Think back to classical depictions of Arcadia. The bare trees of "Le 'Mas'" offer a stark contrast, reflecting a shift from idyllic idealism to a more sobering view of nature. This isn't a celebration of nature, but an introspective look at its more austere elements. We are drawn into an understanding of the landscape's emotional weight, a psychological landscape bearing the weight of time.