Gezicht in de kampong, Buitenzorg c. 1921

Willem Witsen created this etching, 'Gezicht in de kampong, Buitenzorg,' capturing a scene in the Dutch East Indies. Dominating the foreground are trees, their forms creating a screen through which we glimpse figures and structures, suggesting a world both accessible and concealed. The motif of the tree, a natural pillar, has ancient roots. In many cultures, the tree is seen as the axis mundi, connecting the earthly and the divine. We see echoes of this in the Tree of Life imagery. The way Witsen uses the trees in the foreground reminds me of similar depictions from other times. The trees, with their dense foliage, evoke a sense of enclosure, a visual barrier that both protects and isolates. This duality taps into our collective memory of the forest as a place of both refuge and danger, stirring deep, subconscious feelings of security and apprehension. This is how Witsen engages us on a profound level. This cyclical progression reminds us that symbols never truly fade; they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, forever imprinted in our cultural memory.