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.
Save your search and find it in your favorites
Save your search to find it quickly
Saved search
Your search is accessible from the favorites tab > My favorite searches
Unsaved search
A problem occurred
After winter Watercolor landscape
Irina Pronina
Painting - 60 x 50 x 0.1 cm Painting - 23.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch
€600
One day in the village
Irina Pronina
Painting - 40 x 60 x 0.1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 23.6 x 0 inch
€550
Spring light Watercolor landscape
Irina Pronina
Painting - 40 x 60 x 0.1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 23.6 x 0 inch
€600
Colourful abstract landscape 77
Pol Ledent
Painting - 70 x 70 x 2 cm Painting - 27.6 x 27.6 x 0.8 inch
€1,100
Memories of Sofia
Albena Vatcheva
Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
€1,050 €998
Rhododendron Study No.10
Elizabeth Becker
Painting - 55.9 x 76.2 x 0.3 cm Painting - 22 x 30 x 0.1 inch
€1,033
Le monde autrement
Geraldine Bandiziol
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
€350
Cimes et racines / Néottie 1
Akira Inumaru
Painting - 55 x 46 x 2 cm Painting - 21.7 x 18.1 x 0.8 inch
€1,200
Man discovers emptywave
Peter de Boer
Painting - 80 x 100 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 39.4 x 0.8 inch
€2,700
To the sea first light
Peter de Boer
Painting - 120 x 170 x 2 cm Painting - 47.2 x 66.9 x 0.8 inch
€4,350
Memory of Spring, White Rock
Yeju Kwon
Painting - 53 x 40.9 x 3 cm Painting - 20.9 x 16.1 x 1.2 inch
€630
Seagulls on the move
Peter de Boer
Painting - 140 x 100 x 2 cm Painting - 55.1 x 39.4 x 0.8 inch
€4,000
Pink Pines - Loving trees N°5 Part 2
Aurélie Trabaud
Painting - 40 x 20 x 0.3 cm Painting - 15.7 x 7.9 x 0.1 inch
€300
Pink Pines - Loving trees N°5 Part 1
Aurélie Trabaud
Painting - 40 x 20 x 0.3 cm Painting - 15.7 x 7.9 x 0.1 inch
€300
L’arbre et la vie
Carlos Antonio Sablon Perez
Painting - 22 x 16 x 4 cm Painting - 8.7 x 6.3 x 1.6 inch
€900
Summer evening
Serhii Cherniakovskyi
Painting - 80 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch
€1,784
A village in my country side
Pol Ledent
Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
€550
Two appletrees in spring
Pol Ledent
Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
€550
Light in a colourful wood
Pol Ledent
Painting - 60 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
€750
Autumn in my countryside
Pol Ledent
Painting - 60 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
€700
Winterlight on my village
Pol Ledent
Painting - 50 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch
€700
Oak and blue cornflowers
Pol Ledent
Painting - 60 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
€700
Old village in my countryside
Pol Ledent
Painting - 60 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
€750
Discover the styles & movements
Discover the selection of our experts
We Need You!
tizlu
Fine Art Drawings - 60 x 40 x 1.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 23.6 x 15.7 x 0.6 inch
€1,600
Snow-Covered Serenity
Stepan Ohanyan
Painting - 60 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch
€610
Breeze - Arm Chair
Poonam Choudhary
Design - 73.7 x 65 x 82 cm Design - 29 x 25.6 x 32.3 inch
€2,347
Nailed it Series No.81
Sumit Mehndiratta
Sculpture - 84 x 84 x 4 cm Sculpture - 33.1 x 33.1 x 1.6 inch
€1,000
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.