Landschap met waterplas 1850 - 1913

This landscape with a pool of water is an etching by Edmond Michiels, though we don't know exactly when it was made. Dominating the view, the tree bends as if in sorrow, its reflection rippling in the water below. Trees have long been symbols of life, growth, and connection to the earth, deeply intertwined with human cultures. The bowed tree reminds one of similar images in medieval art, where such trees served as symbols of mourning or reflection, often appearing in scenes of loss or transformation. Think of the image of the world tree from Norse mythology. The symbolism of trees has been passed down through history, with shifting meanings based on time and place, as well as the collective subconscious, which may engage viewers on a deep, emotional level. This image, therefore, engages us in the cycle of life and death, and the cyclical progression of the seasons.