Boomtak 1766 - 1815

Jacob van Strij rendered this tree with pen in brown ink and brush in brown and gray ink. The tree, a symbol deeply rooted in human consciousness, here takes center stage, its branches stretching across the paper like arteries of life. Consider the ancient myths where trees served as cosmic pillars, connecting the earthly realm with the heavens. The image of a tree appears in the context of the Tree of Life, its roots drawing sustenance from the depths of the earth. This connection has crossed cultures and time, from ancient pagan beliefs to the biblical Tree of Knowledge, the tree embodies the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Observe the upward movement of the trunk and the outward reach of the branches; this resonates with the human desire for growth and transcendence. The tree, therefore, taps into our collective memory and symbolizes our intrinsic connection to nature and to the cyclical rhythms of existence.