
Les pétales au fond du jardin
Pierre Allard
Painting - 92 x 73 x 2 cm Painting - 36.2 x 28.7 x 0.8 inch
CHF 781
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 - 92 x 73 x 2 cm Painting - 36.2 x 28.7 x 0.8 inch
CHF 781
Painting - 33 x 46 x 2 cm Painting - 13 x 18.1 x 0.8 inch
CHF 7,695
Painting - 33 x 46 x 2 cm Painting - 13 x 18.1 x 0.8 inch
CHF 7,695
Painting - 200 x 200 x 0.5 cm Painting - 78.7 x 78.7 x 0.2 inch
CHF 10,547
Painting - 135 x 180 x 2 cm Painting - 53.1 x 70.9 x 0.8 inch
CHF 4,922
Painting - 35 x 45 x 2 cm Painting - 13.8 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch
CHF 792
Painting - 60 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch
CHF 869
Painting - 60 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch
CHF 869
Painting - 80 x 65 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 25.6 x 0.8 inch
CHF 1,496
Painting - 35 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 13.8 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
CHF 836
Painting - 55 x 46 x 2 cm Painting - 21.7 x 18.1 x 0.8 inch
CHF 732
Painting - 35 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 13.8 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch
CHF 880
Painting - 50 x 70 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 27.6 x 0.8 inch
CHF 1,320
Painting - 95 x 199.9 x 2.5 cm Painting - 37.4 x 78.7 x 1 inch
CHF 1,188
Painting - 89 x 116 x 2.5 cm Painting - 35 x 45.7 x 1 inch
CHF 1,855
Painting - 90 x 90 x 0.1 cm Painting - 35.4 x 35.4 x 0 inch
CHF 2,393
Painting - 35 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting - 13.8 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
CHF 771
Painting - 35 x 25 x 0.3 cm Painting - 13.8 x 9.8 x 0.1 inch
CHF 615
Painting - 35 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting - 13.8 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
CHF 684
Painting - 65 x 54 x 2 cm Painting - 25.6 x 21.3 x 0.8 inch
CHF 586
Painting - 55 x 46 x 3 cm Painting - 21.7 x 18.1 x 1.2 inch
CHF 645
Painting - 46 x 55 x 3 cm Painting - 18.1 x 21.7 x 1.2 inch
CHF 645
Painting - 140 x 100 x 4 cm Painting - 55.1 x 39.4 x 1.6 inch
CHF 3,613
Painting - 80 x 119.9 x 3 cm Painting - 31.5 x 47.2 x 1.2 inch
CHF 2,640
Painting - 70 x 50 x 3.5 cm Painting - 27.6 x 19.7 x 1.4 inch
CHF 469
Painting - 50 x 50 x 3 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch
CHF 1,221
Painting - 110 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 43.3 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch
CHF 1,056
Painting - 60 x 70 x 3 cm Painting - 23.6 x 27.6 x 1.2 inch
CHF 3,168
Painting - 100 x 110 x 3 cm Painting - 39.4 x 43.3 x 1.2 inch
CHF 4,400
Painting - 65.5 x 41.4 x 0.3 cm Painting - 25.8 x 16.3 x 0.1 inch
CHF 552
Painting - 75 x 90 x 2 cm Painting - 29.5 x 35.4 x 0.8 inch
CHF 581
Painting - 70 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 27.6 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch
CHF 879
Painting - 140 x 120 x 0.2 cm Painting - 55.1 x 47.2 x 0.1 inch
CHF 3,516
Painting - 80 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch
CHF 1,172
Painting - 80 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch
CHF 1,172
Painting - 70 x 70 x 2 cm Painting - 27.6 x 27.6 x 0.8 inch
CHF 1,074
Painting - 20 x 20 x 4 cm Painting - 7.9 x 7.9 x 1.6 inch
CHF 176
Painting - 50 x 73 cm Painting - 19.7 x 28.7 inch
CHF 1,953
Painting - 55 x 46 x 2 cm Painting - 21.7 x 18.1 x 0.8 inch
CHF 1,172
Painting - 25 x 25 x 2 cm Painting - 9.8 x 9.8 x 0.8 inch
CHF 244
Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
CHF 792
Painting - 55 x 70 x 2 cm Painting - 21.7 x 27.6 x 0.8 inch
CHF 454
Painting - 120 x 140 x 0.2 cm Painting - 47.2 x 55.1 x 0.1 inch
CHF 3,516
Painting - 60 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch
CHF 1,221
Painting - 60 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch
CHF 1,221
Painting - 40 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
CHF 660
Painting - 40 x 20 x 0.3 cm Painting - 15.7 x 7.9 x 0.1 inch
CHF 293
Painting - 49.8 x 59.9 x 2.5 cm Painting - 19.6 x 23.6 x 1 inch
CHF 686
Painting - 100 x 130 x 2 cm Painting - 39.4 x 51.2 x 0.8 inch
CHF 771
Painting - 30 x 30 x 4 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.6 inch
CHF 342
Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
CHF 293
Painting - 50 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch
CHF 771
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