Artworks

All artworks

Artists

All artists

Galeries

All galleries

Categories

Subcategories

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.

Read more

Save your search and find it in your favorites

Saved search

Your search is accessible from the favorites tab > My favorite searches

Unsaved search

A problem occurred

Painting, Cap Coz, Frédéric Cadiou

Cap Coz

Frédéric Cadiou

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

CHF 195

Painting, Magical autumn, Pol Ledent

Magical autumn

Pol Ledent

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

CHF 584

Painting, Autumn 6625, Pol Ledent

Autumn 6625

Pol Ledent

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

CHF 584

Painting, Red poppies, Pol Ledent

Red poppies

Pol Ledent

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

CHF 487

Painting, Yellow brooms, Pol Ledent

Yellow brooms

Pol Ledent

Painting - 70 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 27.6 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

CHF 779

Painting, Forestscape, Ablade Glover

Forestscape

Ablade Glover

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

CHF 39,134

Painting, Moonshine 75, Pol Ledent

Moonshine 75

Pol Ledent

Painting - 50 x 70 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 27.6 x 0.8 inch

CHF 779

Painting, Au village, Pierrick Tual

Au village

Pierrick Tual

Painting - 46 x 55 x 2 cm Painting - 18.1 x 21.7 x 0.8 inch

CHF 1,168

Painting, Window, Wang Dianyu

Window

Wang Dianyu

Painting - 70 x 50 x 3 cm Painting - 27.6 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch

CHF 1,266

Painting, Orsay Oner, JP Malot

Orsay Oner

JP Malot

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

CHF 711

Painting, Red Birch, Cory Ciona

Red Birch

Cory Ciona

Painting - 30.48 x 121.92 x 3.81 cm Painting - 12 x 48 x 1.5 inch

CHF 730

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

CHF 2,921

Painting, Le marin, Julien Cuny

Le marin

Julien Cuny

Painting - 120 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 47.2 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

CHF 1,460

Painting, Lunaire, Jeong Min Lee

Lunaire

Jeong Min Lee

Painting - 80 x 80 x 2.5 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 1 inch

CHF 584

Painting, A few houses, Pol Ledent

A few houses

Pol Ledent

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

CHF 535

Painting, Blue spring, Pol Ledent

Blue spring

Pol Ledent

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

CHF 535

Painting, Foxgloves, Pol Ledent

Foxgloves

Pol Ledent

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

CHF 535

Painting, My garden 5524, Pol Ledent

My garden 5524

Pol Ledent

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

CHF 535

Painting, Untitled, Noyem Khachatryan

Untitled

Noyem Khachatryan

Painting - 210 x 165 x 2 cm Painting - 82.7 x 65 x 0.8 inch

CHF 3,602

Painting, Sans titre, Paul Maz

Sans titre

Paul Maz

Painting - 65 x 54 x 2 cm Painting - 25.6 x 21.3 x 0.8 inch

CHF 759

Painting, Palms 69, Iryna Kastsova

Palms 69

Iryna Kastsova

Painting - 80 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

CHF 1,460

9/79

Discover the styles & movements

more inspiration

Discover the selection of our experts

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

CHF 1,149 CHF 919

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.