Landschap met omgehakte boomstammen 1848 - 1888

Anton Mauve made this drawing of felled tree trunks with graphite. The stark image of felled trees, lying prone amidst the upright figures of the remaining forest, evokes a potent symbol found across cultures and eras: the vanitas. From ancient Roman memento mori imagery to Dutch Golden Age painting, the felled tree is a reminder of mortality and the transience of life. Consider, for instance, the motif of the broken column in funerary art, echoing this theme of life cut short. The motif resonates beyond the visual arts. In literature and mythology, the fallen tree often signifies loss or a profound change, such as the sacred grove destroyed or the tree of life uprooted. The emotional power of this symbol lies in its direct connection to our subconscious awareness of life's fragility. Mauve's drawing engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level. This symbol, with its emotional and psychological weight, resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts, becoming a recurring theme in our collective cultural memory.