Gezicht op de Kempen met boom en twee figuren bij een brug 1852 - 1906

Emilie Rolin-Jacquemijns created this etching of the Kempen landscape, capturing a solitary tree and two figures near a bridge. The tree, a universal symbol, has been revered across cultures as a connection between the earth and the heavens. But here, it stands alone, bearing witness to the human drama unfolding beneath its branches. Compare this to ancient depictions of the Tree of Life. It is stripped of its mythical context, and instead, evokes a sense of solitude. Notice the bridge, a motif of transition and connection, yet here it seems to lead nowhere, perhaps symbolizing a psychological passage or an uncertain future. This image quietly engages our subconscious, inviting us to contemplate the transient nature of human existence against the backdrop of an enduring landscape. The tree, the bridge, the figures, are all elements of a recurring visual language that continues to speak to us across time.