Huis Kemmenade te Voorthuizen Possibly 1732 - 1736

Abraham de Haen II created this sketch of Huis Kemmenade in Voorthuizen, capturing a scene of rural life. The trees, framing the composition, evoke the ancient symbol of the axis mundi, a link between the earthly and spiritual realms. Notice how the trees reappear in countless other works, from religious paintings to landscape art. In earlier times, the tree symbolizes the Tree of Knowledge, a central figure in the narrative of mankind's fall from grace. Think of the symbolic weight these natural forms carry, reflecting our ongoing quest for meaning and connection with nature. This simple drawing taps into a deep well of human experience and shared cultural memory, reminding us of the cyclical nature of symbols that evolve and reappear across time.