Oude wilgenboom 1809 - 1841

Joannes Bemme created this drawing of an old willow tree using graphite. The weathered, hollowed tree trunk stands as a stark symbol of time's relentless passage. This motif of the decaying tree is deeply rooted in our collective consciousness, appearing across cultures and eras. Recall Caspar David Friedrich’s solitary oaks, or even further back, the sacred groves of ancient rituals. Here, Bemme’s tree evokes a similar sense of melancholy and introspection. Consider the tree's hollow core. Psychologically, this void may represent loss, or perhaps, the space for new beginnings, a womb for rebirth. Just as the Laocoön's writhing agony speaks to the suffering of man, the wilting tree silently conveys the burden of time. Note how the image invites reflection on the cyclical nature of life and death. The symbol, laden with historical and emotional resonance, continues to echo through our cultural memory.