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Tree Paintings for Sale

In painting, just as in poetry, trees bend but do not break. They offer an array of symbolism: the tree of life, of knowledge, the world's axis and symbol of evolution. They are an omnipresent figure, constant throughout the shifting eras and dominating canvases with their overwhelming grandeur. Trees are as compelling to painters as they are to viewers, seeming to extend their branches almost into the heavens.

For a long time, the tree was only represented as a biblical symbol, the catalyst in the fall of man. Later, in classical paintings, the tree was often relegated to a background object, serving only to prop up other, more important subjects, although some artists like Poussin did make them the focus. Cézanne's The Great Pine, however, is perhaps the best example of a composition entirely dedicated to the tree as a subject, they fill the frame with solid trunks and thick, twisting branches. In a landscape, trees are a sign of splendour and power, towering over the tiny figures of men. In Rubens' The Tempest, they are almost threatening.   

The splendour of trees in paintings is greatly affected by the arrangement of the rest of the composition. Sometimes trees seems to support the canvas, marking out the confines of the space. Many painters use trees to give an indication of perspective and depth in the canvas, such as Hodler's Autumn Evening. Trees can also be used to give an indication of where the painting is set: palm trees indicate an exotic setting, lending the canvases an edge of luxury and excitement – as seen in the work of Douanier Rousseau.  

The tree can also serve as a metaphor, signifying strength, rootedness, and a sort of natural power that – like even the strongest man – can still end up broken. Anselm Kieffer painted his canvas Varus in memory of the atrocities suffered by Germany in the 20th century; the composition depicts a bloodied forest in reference to the Roman war featured in Tacitus' Germania. The tree can also stand as a symbol for the ceaseless changing of the seasons, often placed in parallel to the human cycle of life. While Hokusai honoured the magnificent cherry blossoms of his native Japan, Monet repeatedly painted his gardens at Giverny, often under the bright light of full summer. Autumn, with its shimmering colours, crisp light, and myriad textures, is an unfailing source of inspiration for artists. Most recently artists have taken to abstracting the form of trees, stripping them back to their most basic elements, like in the works of Raoul Dufy.


In contemporary art, the motif of a tree is most often found in sculpture and installation art because it's so easy to translate into three dimensional media. Traditional art has yet to let trees go, though, and you need to look no further than Mondrian's canvases to see that trees remain a vital element of art history. Browse Artsper's collection of art centred around trees.

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Painting, Genèse, Sophie Duplain

Genèse

Sophie Duplain

Painting - 100 x 81 x 2.5 cm Painting - 39.4 x 31.9 x 1 inch

$2,135

Painting, Silence, Milcheva Emilia

Silence

Milcheva Emilia

Painting - 70 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

$771

Painting, Prestige, Milcheva Emilia

Prestige

Milcheva Emilia

Painting - 60 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

$890

Painting, Tree, Xiu

Tree

Xiu

Painting - 50 x 20 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

$712

Painting, Village II, Xiu

Village II

Xiu

Painting - 40 x 40 x 1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

$712

Painting, Paysage 606, Xiu

Paysage 606

Xiu

Painting - 40 x 40 x 1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

$712

Painting, Paysage 604, Xiu

Paysage 604

Xiu

Painting - 50 x 20 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

$712

Painting, Paysage 505, Xiu

Paysage 505

Xiu

Painting - 50 x 20 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

$712

Painting, Avenir, Mathilde André

Avenir

Mathilde André

Painting - 45 x 38 x 3 cm Painting - 17.7 x 15 x 1.2 inch

$795

Painting, Paysage 504, Xiu

Paysage 504

Xiu

Painting - 40 x 40 x 1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

$712

Painting, Arbre I, Xiu

Arbre I

Xiu

Painting - 60 x 20 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 7.9 x 0.8 inch

$830

Painting, Paysages 300, Xiu

Paysages 300

Xiu

Painting - 50 x 20 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

$712

Painting, Paysage 217, Xiu

Paysage 217

Xiu

Painting - 40 x 40 x 1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

$712

Painting, Paysage 213, Xiu

Paysage 213

Xiu

Painting - 40 x 40 x 1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

$712

Painting, Groupe, Karine Bartoli

Groupe

Karine Bartoli

Painting - 73 x 92 x 4 cm Painting - 28.7 x 36.2 x 1.6 inch

$1,602

Painting, Winter Tale, Olha Kizub

Winter Tale

Olha Kizub

Painting - 100 x 100 x 2.3 cm Painting - 39.4 x 39.4 x 0.9 inch

$1,800

Painting, May, Boris Serdyuk

May

Boris Serdyuk

Painting - 60 x 90 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0.8 inch

$629

Painting, Forestscape, Ablade Glover

Forestscape

Ablade Glover

Painting - 152.4 x 152.4 x 10.2 cm Painting - 60 x 60 x 4 inch

$46,000

Painting, Danse du vent, Lu Ma

Danse du vent

Lu Ma

Painting - 80 x 60 x 3 cm Painting - 31.5 x 23.6 x 1.2 inch

$3,559

Painting, Green houses, Pol Ledent

Green houses

Pol Ledent

Painting - 40 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

$712

Painting, Full spring, Pol Ledent

Full spring

Pol Ledent

Painting - 50 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

$771

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Fine Art Drawings, Sun Day, tizlu

Sun Day

tizlu

Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 40 x 1.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.6 inch

$1,400 $1,163

Need help with Tree Paintings ?
What are some famous tree paintings in art history?
Some of the most famous tree paintings in art history include Vincent van Gogh's "The Mulberry Tree," Claude Monet's "Poplars," and Gustav Klimt's "Birch Forest." These paintings showcase the beauty and majesty of trees in different styles and techniques.
How do artists capture the essence of trees in their paintings?
Artists capture the essence of trees in their paintings by observing the unique characteristics of each tree, such as its shape, texture, and color. They also consider the lighting and atmosphere surrounding the tree to create a realistic and emotive representation. Through careful observation and technique, artists can convey the beauty and majesty of trees in their paintings.