Landscape near Dalhem c. 1670

Valentijn Klotz created this landscape near Dalhem with pen in brown and gray ink. Notice the large rock dominating the foreground, a rugged outcropping crowned with a lone tree. This image of the rock is a powerful symbol, a constant presence across cultures. Think of ancient depictions of mountains as sacred spaces, or the rock as a foundation, a symbol of steadfastness. We see echoes of this motif in works ranging from classical antiquity to the Renaissance. The contrast between the massive rock and the delicate tree, however, reveals a deeper psychological tension, a struggle between stability and growth, permanence and change. The rock, an enduring force, meets the resilient tree, a testament to life’s persistence. This tension creates a space for reflection and a deeper understanding of the cyclical nature of existence.