Landscape with Trees and Figures 19th-20th century

Editor: This is Denman Waldo Ross' "Landscape with Trees and Figures." It’s an oil on canvas, but no exact date is listed. I find the trees so imposing. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Beyond the verdant scene, I see a study in cultural memory. Trees, especially cypresses like these, often symbolize mourning, eternity, even a connection to the underworld in Western art. Do you feel that sense of solemnity? Editor: I do now that you mention it! But it feels more peaceful than sad. Curator: Perhaps the artist wanted to portray a sense of timelessness. These recurring symbols create a visual link across generations. Editor: So, it's not just a pretty landscape but a conversation with the past. I'll definitely look at landscapes differently from now on.