Cedar Sanctuary 1942

Emily Carr painted ‘Cedar Sanctuary’ with oil on canvas to capture the solemn grandeur of the forest. The painting’s dominant symbol is, of course, the cedar tree, which is rendered here as a majestic pillar of life. Trees in art are not merely botanical studies, they have long served as potent symbols of life, strength, and connection between the earthly and the divine. Think of the Tree of Life, a motif stretching back to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, reappearing across cultures as varied as the Norse with their Yggdrasil, or the sacred trees venerated in indigenous traditions worldwide. The cedar, in particular, resonates with themes of purification and immortality. Its enduring presence in art and myth taps into our collective subconscious, evoking a primal sense of awe and reverence for the natural world. Carr’s expressive brushstrokes convey the tree’s spiritual essence, speaking to the cyclical nature of life, death, and renewal. The cedar tree, therefore, persists, not just as a representation of nature, but as a profound symbol of humanity’s enduring connection to the world around us.