Près d’Alger 1859

Félix Ziem painted "Près d’Alger" with oils, capturing a scene near Algiers. The figures gather closely under the shelter of an olive tree, a place of rest, and in the distance, we see encampments and smoke rising. The tree has long been a symbol of refuge and sanctuary. We see its prominence in medieval paintings depicting the Rest on the Flight to Egypt, where Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus seek shelter under a tree. The protective canopy of leaves offered both physical respite and symbolic protection, resonating with a deep-seated human need for safety and nourishment. This evokes images of ancient sanctuaries and sacred groves, the tree of life, drawing upon our shared cultural memory and subconscious associations with nature and the maternal. The olive tree’s significance extends beyond shelter, linking to themes of peace, healing, and resilience. This imagery has echoed through the ages, persisting even now.