Landschap met boom met blootgelegde wortels 1659

Karel du Jardin created this etching, *Landscape with a Tree with Exposed Roots*, during the Dutch Golden Age, a time of unprecedented economic and cultural flourishing in the Netherlands. Du Jardin, like many of his contemporaries, turned to landscape as a primary subject. This etching presents a scene that seems both familiar and subtly unsettling. The exposed roots of the tree command our attention, suggesting a vulnerability or disruption beneath the surface of an otherwise idyllic setting. There’s a tension here, perhaps mirroring the era’s complex relationship with the natural world. The presence of figures crossing a stream introduces a narrative element, hinting at the human impact on the land. It invites us to reflect on themes of stewardship, resilience, and the stories embedded within the landscapes we inhabit. How do we see ourselves in relation to this image?