Door een noordwesterstorm ontwortelde boom 1874

Willem Cornelis Rip created this drawing of an uprooted tree, rendered in delicate pencil strokes. The fallen tree is a powerful symbol, often representing mortality, the transience of life, and the force of nature's destructive capabilities. Consider the ancient motif of the "arbor infelix," the unlucky tree, often depicted as barren or broken. Such imagery dates back to classical antiquity, where it was associated with misfortune and ill omens. We see echoes of this in later depictions of the crucifixion, where the cross—originally a tree—becomes a symbol of suffering and sacrifice. Over time, the fallen tree has evolved to signify not just death, but also resilience, the potential for new growth from decay. Rip’s choice to portray this scene may reflect a deep, subconscious understanding of these symbols. On a psychological level, the uprooted tree may tap into our primal fears of instability and loss, reminding us of our own vulnerability. It invites us to contemplate the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level.