Travellers 1794

George Morland painted “Travellers,” sometime in the late 18th century, capturing a scene of itinerant life in England. The travelers rest beneath a large tree, its expansive branches offering shade and protection to the weary family. The tree, a veritable ‘axis mundi,’ has historically symbolized shelter and sustenance. We see echoes of it in ancient myths— the Norse Yggdrasil, or even the Tree of Knowledge from Genesis. In Morland's vision, this arboreal motif becomes a secular haven, a respite for the weary. The scene’s compositional structure mirrors earlier Nativity scenes, in which the Virgin Mary finds shelter under a simple roof. Here the mother nurses a child, and there is a clear parallel with images of Charity, where the act of nurturing embodies generosity and communal responsibility. The subconscious yearning for stability and nourishment resonates deeply. Morland taps into our collective memories and reminds us of the basic human need for rest and community, a theme that continues to evolve across time.