Landweg met boom en boerderij 1829 - 1844

Barend Cornelis Koekkoek created this drawing, "Landweg met boom en boerderij," using pen in the Netherlands. Observe the towering tree, a dominant symbol deeply rooted in cultural memory, connecting the earthly and the divine. In ancient traditions, trees were central to cosmologies, serving as the axis mundi. Consider the World Tree in Norse mythology, Yggdrasil, its roots reaching into the underworld and its branches touching the heavens. This motif echoes through history, appearing in countless forms. Even in secular art, the tree retains a sense of vitality, embodying growth, shelter, and continuity. The tree in Koekkoek’s drawing also acts as a silent witness, observing the passage of time and human activity, with an enduring presence. It evokes a sense of nostalgia, reminding us of the interconnectedness of nature and human existence. This symbol reappears, its meaning ever evolving, as humanity grapples with its relationship to the natural world.