Landscape after 1875

Jean-Charles Cazin captured this landscape on canvas with a profound sense of melancholic quietude. Observe the prominence of the moon, a recurring motif throughout art history, often symbolizing the cyclical nature of life and the passage of time. In antiquity, the moon goddess was associated with fertility, intuition, and the mysteries of the night. Here, however, the moon hangs as a sliver of itself, partially obscured by clouds, a melancholic symbol of hidden, or waning powers. Consider how the moon appears in other contexts—as a radiant disc in ancient Roman frescoes, or a source of haunting light in German Romantic paintings. This symbol, charged with emotion, has been passed down, evolving and adapting, yet always retaining its primal connection to our subconscious understanding of time, mystery and the evocative powers of nature. The moon in Cazin's landscape resonates with a deep-seated feeling, engaging viewers with a profound sense of quiet sorrow.