Gezicht op Meerle met bomenrij en water op de voorgrond 1873

Emilie Rolin-Jacquemijns created this evocative image of Meerle using etching techniques. Notice the trees lining the water’s edge; they are more than just a picturesque detail. Consider the tree as a symbol, reaching skyward, deeply rooted in earth—a conduit between realms. Trees appear in countless mythologies, from the World Tree Yggdrasil in Norse lore, connecting the heavens, the earth, and the underworld, to the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden. They often symbolize life, growth, and interconnectedness. Even in secular contexts, trees carry emotional weight. Think of the Romantic painters, like Caspar David Friedrich, who used trees to evoke feelings of awe and the sublime in the face of nature. This etching captures a similar sentiment. The trees create a sense of longing for a simpler, more grounded existence. The enduring presence of the tree in art and culture speaks to our deep-seated need to find meaning and connection in the natural world. The symbolism shifts, but the underlying emotional power remains potent.