Gezicht op een weg tussen de rotsen bij Sisikon te Zwitserland 1892

This photograph by Hugo Engler captures a road winding through the rocky landscape of Sisikon, Switzerland. Dominating the scene is a solitary, tree-crowned rock formation. The rock has long been a symbol of steadfastness and endurance, found in mythologies across cultures, from the Greek Mount Olympus to the sacred mountains of East Asia. We may recall the iconic image of Caspar David Friedrich’s "Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog", where a lone figure contemplates a similar vista, a reflection on man's place within the vastness of nature. The trees atop the rock, like flags waving in the sky, add another layer, representing resilience and life in the face of barrenness. This motif echoes through art history; think of the singular tree in Romantic landscapes, a symbol of hope and renewal. Engler’s photograph, with its stark contrast and imposing natural forms, evokes a profound sense of awe and introspection. It's a timeless scene reminding us of nature’s enduring power, a theme that resurfaces time and again.