Little Stream Surrounded by Bushes 1890

Here, Vincent van Gogh captures a simple landscape with charcoal. The meandering stream, a dominant feature, has historically symbolized life, purification, and the journey of existence. The stream's path, curving and flowing, echoes the ancient serpent, a symbol found across cultures from the Garden of Eden to Mesoamerican mythology. This symbol often represents cyclical time, the rhythm of life, death, and rebirth. Van Gogh's own struggles with mental health add another layer of depth; the stream might also embody the flow of consciousness, at times turbulent, at others serene. Consider how water, as a motif, appears in baptismal scenes across Renaissance art, signifying spiritual cleansing. Or in mythic landscapes, like those of Claude Lorrain, where it provides a sense of harmony and balance. The emotional weight of this seemingly simple sketch lies in its ability to tap into our collective memory, evoking our deep-seated associations with water as a source of both life and reflection. As the stream flows, so does the current of history, always circling back, always transforming.