Gezicht op een boerenhoeve bij Ukkel 1895

Joseph Dujardin rendered this view of a farmhouse near Ukkel in ink. The barren trees, stark against the winter sky, their branches reaching upwards, are reminiscent of the Tree of Life. A symbol spanning cultures and epochs. In ancient mythologies, the Tree connects the earthly and divine realms, a concept echoed in religious art where trees often represent spiritual growth and connection to the cosmos. In the medieval era, bare trees were often depicted in the backgrounds of paintings to symbolize death and rebirth. Here, the artist offers a contemplation on the cyclical nature of life itself. This image touches the depths of our collective memory and the enduring power of symbols. These bare branches are more than just wood and bark but silent witnesses to the ever-turning wheel of time.