Study at Ramapo, New York 1874

David Johnson painted this landscape, "Study at Ramapo, New York," capturing the dense foliage and rugged terrain of the American countryside. Here, the trees—particularly the evergreens—stand as silent witnesses, their forms echoing the ancient forests revered in Germanic folklore. Consider the enduring symbol of the forest, a place of mystery and transformation, appearing across cultures from the Brothers Grimm fairy tales to the epic poems of the Norse sagas. Trees represented a connection to both the earthly and the divine. We see the motif of the forest as a refuge, a place where one might find both danger and enlightenment. This resonates with our deepest psychological experiences. The wilderness becomes a mirror reflecting our inner selves. Johnson has engaged with a collective memory, and his art continues to evoke profound emotional responses, reminding us of the cyclical and enduring power of nature’s symbolism.