Les Saules 1885

Paul Gauguin painted this landscape of willows, 'Les Saules', with oil on canvas. The willow, often found near water, carries within it the symbolism of sorrow and mourning, a motif deeply rooted in both literature and art. Consider, for instance, its presence in classical mythology, where the weeping willow is associated with loss and lamentation. Even in later works, the willow maintains its somber connotation; we see its reflection in countless poems and paintings, a silent witness to scenes of grief and reflection. The weeping willow, with its drooping branches, is perhaps the visual embodiment of melancholia. It touches something primal within us, a reminder of the transient nature of life and the inevitability of sorrow. Through Gauguin's depiction, we are connected to a long chain of emotional expression, revealing how symbols evolve, yet remain tethered to their origins.