Windfall by Jill Mathis, created in 1996, is a photographic print with a simple composure of two photos side by side showing the effects of man-made deforestation. At first glance, it would remind me of any simple picture that someone would take in the woods. Upon learning its historic background, I have found it to have a deeper meaning, thus making it unique in my opinion.

The phrase “windfall” meant unexpected good fortune as dating far back as the 1100’s. This is due to various ancient laws that would prohibit commoners from cutting down trees, but would allow them to gather firewood from trees that have fallen due to the wind. Simply, this piece is conveying to its audience, the affect that people can have on nature.

The main components of this piece are the two spectacles that are shown. One side showing a tree coming down naturally, and in the other, a larger area of trees that were cut down. These two parts directly oppose each other as one side shows the size and beauty of forests without human interaction, and the other side showing a lack of trees due to human action. It uses its credibility as pictures taken in the real world to show how deforestation taints our planet. Due to its simple nature, at first glance, many members of the audience, like myself, may overlook what the artist is trying to convey. But when viewing this image after reading the information of the plaque placed next to it, a persons entire understanding of the piece can change. Deforestation is a real issue that many people don’t often think about. It affects various ecosystems, the condition of the planet, and ultimately us. The authors purpose it to show the effects of deforestation in the simplest means possible.