Studie, vermoedelijk een landschap met bomen 1834 - 1906

This is a pencil sketch of a landscape with trees, made by Maria Vos. Notice the ladder-like structures in the center; these evoke Jacob's Ladder. It’s a symbol that appears in many other artworks and religious contexts, representing spiritual ascent or a connection between heaven and earth. The ladder, as a symbol, also echoes in the Tower of Babel, where humans tried to reach the heavens. In ancient Egyptian art, ladders were placed in tombs to help the deceased pharaohs ascend to the afterlife. This symbol connects to universal themes of spiritual aspiration and the desire to transcend earthly limitations. The ladder's emotional and psychological power lies in its ability to tap into our collective memory of striving, seeking, and the eternal human quest for meaning and connection beyond the material world. The ladder motif continues to reappear, evolve, and acquire new meanings as it moves through time.