Cypresses 1889

Vincent van Gogh captured this landscape with oil on canvas, dominated by the soaring presence of cypress trees. These trees, often associated with cemeteries and mourning in Europe, rise like dark flames against the sky. The tree has ancient roots. Consider its presence in classical antiquity, where it was linked to the underworld and figures like Pluto, or even Hecate, often depicted carrying branches of cypress. As these images traverse time, the somber cypress appears transformed into a symbol of resilience, as the tree links Earth and sky in the painting with dynamic brushstrokes. Looking at the crescent moon, you can recall its association with Diana, goddess of the hunt, or even its connection to the more arcane, as it is often a nod to the subconscious. There are a lot of potential links that give these cypresses a powerful, restless, and emotional charge. Like memories, these symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across time.