Houthakker met een bijl bij een omgehakte boomstam 1848 - 1888

Anton Mauve's sketch presents us with a woodcutter, axe in hand, standing beside a felled tree, all rendered in pencil. The axe is a potent symbol, not merely a tool for labor but an emblem of transformation and power. It is akin to the labrys of Minoan Crete, a double-headed axe that symbolized matriarchal strength and spiritual authority. This symbol echoes through time, reappearing in various guises. The act of cutting down a tree is psychologically rich; it represents both destruction and renewal. In the collective memory, trees often stand for life, wisdom, and interconnectedness. The fall of a tree, therefore, touches deep-seated fears of mortality and loss. Yet, it also suggests the potential for new growth and creation. The woodcutter, caught in this act of transformation, becomes an agent of change, engaging us on a primal level. This interplay of destruction and creation echoes through time, as symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across different historical contexts.