Korenveld bij Rome 1906 - 1909

August Allebé sketched this 'Cornfield near Rome' with graphite, a humble medium, yet it captures a timeless scene. Dominating the foreground, we find a cluster of white flowers, their delicate forms a stark contrast to the wild, untamed field. These flowers, though simple, resonate with layers of meaning. Consider, for instance, the white lily, often associated with purity and the Virgin Mary, yet, when seen scattered in a field like this, they may be a symbol of death, a reminder of mortality amidst life’s bounty. Recall, too, the ‘fields of asphodel’ from classical antiquity, where spirits of the dead roam in eternal twilight. The image prompts a deeper questioning of how symbols evolve, shaped by our collective unconscious and cultural inheritance. This quiet, unassuming drawing thus carries within it echoes of centuries of human experience, a testament to the enduring power of simple symbols to evoke profound emotions.