Landschap met water en bomen 1862 - 1913

This landscape etching by Alphonse Stengelin shows us a scene of water and trees, a mirror reflecting the sky. Note how the windswept tree leans, a posture reminiscent of figures in classical depictions of mourning. This motif has been with us since antiquity, often used to symbolize the transience of life, a theme recurring in funerary art across cultures. In this landscape, it serves not just as an element of nature, but as an allegorical figure bearing witness to the passage of time. Observe too, the psychological weight of the water. Throughout history, water has served as a symbol of both life and death, a threshold and a mirror, echoing in the collective unconscious as a site of reflection and the unknown. The emotional power of this image lies in its ability to tap into these deeply rooted associations, engaging viewers on a subconscious level.