Rotsachtig landschap met bomen c. 1603

Paulus Willemsz. van Vianen created this landscape with pen and brush, rendering a rocky scene punctuated by trees. Notice the stark contrast between the sturdy, unyielding rocks and the delicate, skeletal trees reaching skyward. The tree, a symbol of life and growth, appears here in its dormant state, a poignant reminder of the cyclical nature of existence. We find echoes of this motif in earlier art—consider the "arbor vitae," the tree of life, depicted in ancient tapestries. Yet, here, the bare branches evoke a sense of vulnerability, a stark contrast to the life-affirming symbolism of the past. This vulnerability speaks to the psyche, prompting reflection on mortality. The barren landscape mirrors the transient nature of life itself. But within this starkness lies a flicker of hope, for even in winter, the promise of spring lingers.