Het kleine schiereiland 1610 - 1653

This etching, "Het kleine schiereiland," by Simon de Vlieger presents a serene landscape, dominated by trees reflected in calm water. Trees, universal symbols of life, growth, and connection between earth and sky, evoke our deep-seated reverence for nature. The emphasis on foliage resonates with the ancient "arbor vitae"—the tree of life—motif, which appears in various cultures from the Assyrians to the Kabbalists. As seen in illuminated manuscripts, this symbol often represented spiritual immortality. In contrast, the barren branches of other trees invoke themes of mortality and the cyclical nature of life. Consider how the stark, leafless trees also appear in funerary art, symbolizing mourning. De Vlieger, perhaps unconsciously, taps into this collective memory. He presents us not just with nature, but with the emotional weight of existence itself. The interplay of light and shadow further enhances this psychological landscape, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. Such symbols have continued to evolve, resurfacing in art and culture across the ages.