Ein alter und ein junger Baum 

Franz Kobell's drawing presents us with two trees, starkly contrasting in their stages of life. The old tree, grand and expansive, with thick branches reaching out, stands beside a younger, slender tree, its form still developing. Trees, throughout art history, symbolize the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, a motif deeply rooted in human consciousness. Think of the Tree of Life in ancient mythologies or the sacred groves of classical antiquity. The contrast here touches upon universal themes of experience versus potential, the wisdom of age against the exuberance of youth. Consider the oak, often associated with strength and endurance, its image recurring in emblems of power across cultures. This drawing, in its humble execution, echoes our shared contemplation of mortality and renewal. The presence of these two trees invokes a powerful dialogue that engages viewers on a subconscious level. They represent not just botanical specimens, but archetypes reflecting the continuous, cyclical nature of existence, a theme that resurfaces and evolves across time.