Gezicht op het Spui te Amsterdam met bomen c. 1886 - 1903

George Hendrik Breitner captured this view of the Spui in Amsterdam with charcoal, revealing an intimate glimpse into urban life. Notice how the trees are placed. These vertical elements act as silent witnesses, their bare branches reaching skyward like supplicating arms. Trees have long been symbols of life, growth, and connection between earth and the heavens. In ancient mythologies, they were often seen as the dwelling places of spirits or gods. The tree connects the earthly with the divine, just as in the Nordic tradition Yggdrasil binds together the nine worlds. Here, Breitner's trees lend a somber, almost melancholic air to the scene, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. Thus the motif resurfaces, evolving with each artist's touch yet retaining its primordial power to evoke emotional resonance.