Exposed tree root 1830 - 1831

August Lucas created this pencil drawing of an exposed tree root. It’s a rather unassuming subject, yet within it lies a world of symbolism. Consider the tree root: it is a motif that recurs in various guises across cultures, from the roots of Yggdrasil in Norse mythology, to the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden. The root is a symbol of origin, of ancestry, and the hidden depths that sustain life. The exposed root is an especially poignant image. It speaks of vulnerability and exposure, yet also of resilience. Think of the Laocoön, writhing in agony, his body exposed and vulnerable. Similarly, the exposed root conveys a raw, visceral emotion. Perhaps Lucas, through this seemingly simple depiction, taps into our collective memory of nature’s power, its capacity for both creation and destruction. The exposed roots also suggest time; the relentless forces of nature laid bare for us to see.