Vervormde boomstammen c. 1860 - 1865

Maria Vos rendered this drawing of distorted tree trunks with pencil. Notice how the trunks in the artwork are gnarled and twisted, almost anthropomorphic in their forms. Trees, in many cultures, symbolize life, growth, and the interconnectedness of all things. The depiction of trees, particularly those that are aged or have been through hardship, connects us to the ancient motif of the "axis mundi" - the world tree. You see it echoed in Norse mythology's Yggdrasil, linking the heavens, earth, and underworld. These twisted forms evoke a sense of resilience and endurance, reflecting the human spirit's capacity to withstand adversity. The tree then, in art and myth, becomes a potent symbol of survival, transformation, and regeneration. It’s a visual echo of our collective past, resonating with the deeply ingrained human experience of nature’s enduring strength and transformative power.