Bosgezicht c. 1884 - 1887

Willem Witsen created this charcoal drawing, 'Bosgezicht', offering us a glimpse into a dense thicket of trees. The stark, vertical lines of the tree trunks reach upwards, a motif echoing the columns of ancient temples. These vertical forms are a recurring image throughout art history, a constant reaching for the heavens. Think of the Egyptian obelisks, or even the Gothic cathedrals. The forest, in particular, has always been a rich source of symbols. The tangled branches and shadowed depths tap into our collective memory of the forest as a place of mystery, danger, and transformation. It’s the forest of fairy tales, where Hansel and Gretel get lost, and where heroes confront their deepest fears. These stark trees, rendered with such immediacy, engage us on a profound, subconscious level, evoking a sense of primal connection to the natural world, and the psychological depths of our past. Just as the forest has been a symbol of both fear and refuge, its representation in art continues to resonate, evolving with each new interpretation.