Bomen op een helling, mogelijk een zandverstuiving c. 1884 - 1887

This is a charcoal drawing by Willem Witsen, titled 'Trees on a Slope, possibly a Sand Drift'. The dominant symbol here is the tree, an archetype rooted deeply in our collective consciousness. The tree—a universal symbol of life, growth, and connection between earth and sky—appears in countless myths and religious texts. Consider the Tree of Life, a motif present from ancient Mesopotamia to Norse mythology, embodying wisdom and immortality. In Witsen's rendering, these trees, heavily shadowed and seemingly clinging to the slope, evoke a more somber, even melancholic sentiment. This echoes the Romantic era's fascination with nature's sublime power. Compare these trees with the barren landscapes of Caspar David Friedrich. The tree symbolizes not just life, but also its fragility and the relentless passage of time. The image taps into our subconscious awareness of mortality. These symbols endure, evolving through time and culture. They resurface, transformed yet familiar, continually engaging us in a dialogue between past and present.