Landschap 1849 - 1917

This landscape drawing was sketched by Matthijs Maris with graphite on paper. Observe the skeletal trees; they are not merely botanical studies, but potent symbols, reaching like arms towards the heavens. Across cultures, from ancient mythologies to Christian iconography, trees represent the connection between the earthly and the divine, a visual echo of humanity's quest for transcendence. The motif of the tree, so prevalent in art and culture, has served diverse purposes. In some traditions, it is the axis mundi, the center of the world, connecting different planes of existence. In others, it represents the family tree, roots, heritage, and the cyclical nature of life. Consider the psychological weight of such symbols, passed down through generations. How collective memory and subconscious processes may have affected the production and interpretation of this landscape drawing, inviting viewers to contemplate the non-linear, cyclical progression of symbols.