Grove of Trees [verso] c. 1835

Friedrich Salathé’s pencil drawing captures a dense grove of trees. Here, the trees stand as more than simple flora; they are a powerful symbol of nature's enduring strength, deeply rooted in cultural memory. Consider the prominent oak tree, its twisting branches reaching skyward, a motif echoing the ancient reverence for trees as sacred entities. We find the image of the tree throughout history, from the Tree of Life in ancient Mesopotamian art to the sacred groves of the Druids. These symbols serve as a bridge across time, revealing our innate connection to the natural world. The way the artist renders the trees creates an atmosphere of solemn contemplation. This is akin to the German Romantic painters such as Caspar David Friedrich, where nature served as a mirror reflecting the human soul, evoking feelings of longing and spiritual awakening. The image evokes the cyclical dance of nature, reminding us of its timeless presence in our collective consciousness.