Gezicht op de Kleefsche Berg 1848

This is a landscape study of the Kleefsche Berg, drawn in 1848 by Johannes Tavenraat. The most striking feature is the prominent tree trunk on the right, boldly sketched with notes scribbled around it. The tree, often seen as a symbol of life, growth, and connection between the earth and sky, has been a central motif in art across centuries. In ancient cultures, the tree served as the axis mundi, a cosmic axis connecting different realms. The image of a tree, especially one that is gnarled or weathered, can evoke feelings of resilience and endurance. We can look at the many depictions of the Tree of Knowledge, and understand how mankind has used the symbology of the tree to represent the life cycle. Here, the bare tree trunk is a haunting memento mori, a reminder of mortality. The artist's notes scattered around the landscape enhance this feeling, grounding the viewer to his inner world. This image calls to mind subconscious symbols which continue to evolve through time.