Bosgezicht 1862 - 1886

Luigi Conconi created this print of a forest, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. Trees, especially those standing tall in a forest, have long held symbolic weight. In many cultures, trees are seen as a connection between the earthly and spiritual realms, as they are rooted in the ground but reach towards the sky. This symbolism recurs across vastly different traditions. Consider the World Tree in Norse mythology, Yggdrasil, a colossal ash tree connecting the nine worlds; or the Bodhi tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. Similarly, the dense forest has often been employed as a powerful symbol of the unconscious mind, a place where the rational mind cannot penetrate. Looking at this seemingly simple forest scene, the image evokes a sense of mystery, inviting us to consider the complex relationship between humanity and nature.