
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



Embrace the beauty of life. Abstract painting
Momalyu Liubov Kriuchkova
Painting - 90 x 70 x 2 cm Painting - 35.4 x 27.6 x 0.8 inch
$1,048

Winter Tree 2 by M.Y.
Max Yaskin
Painting - 150 x 95 x 1 cm Painting - 59.1 x 37.4 x 0.4 inch
$1,893

Paysage aux deux arbres
Isabelle Marie
Painting - 29.5 x 41.5 x 0.01 cm Painting - 11.6 x 16.3 x 0 inch
$714

And the Tree Blossoms
Tetiana Pchelnykova
Painting - 90.8 x 135 x 2 cm Painting - 35.7 x 53.1 x 0.8 inch
$2,143





Red-Tailed Hawks No. 2
Elizabeth Becker
Painting - 66 x 101.6 x 0.3 cm Painting - 26 x 40 x 0.1 inch
$3,350


My children's magical garden
Yehor Dulin
Painting - 100 x 140 x 2 cm Painting - 39.4 x 55.1 x 0.8 inch
$4,000

Colourful abstract landscape 77
Pol Ledent
Painting - 70 x 70 x 2 cm Painting - 27.6 x 27.6 x 0.8 inch
$1,310




Oleander in the old town of Marmaris
Andrii Chebotaru
Painting - 99.1 x 58.4 x 2.5 cm Painting - 39 x 23 x 1 inch
$3,000

The Marina of the Marmaris
Andrii Chebotaru
Painting - 88.9 x 99.1 x 2.5 cm Painting - 35 x 39 x 1 inch
$3,500


Before the storm, Painting, Oil on canvas
Andrii Chebotaru
Painting - 69.9 x 84.8 x 2.5 cm Painting - 27.5 x 33.4 x 1 inch
$3,750



Chêne de Bastigales
Bernadette Van Baarsen
Painting - 20 x 20 x 0.2 cm Painting - 7.9 x 7.9 x 0.1 inch
$869

Les îles, l'arbre (3)
Catherine Clare
Painting - 160 x 55 x 2.5 cm Painting - 63 x 21.7 x 1 inch
$1,726

Beginning to shine. Pine trees.
Iryna Bondar
Painting - 60 x 70 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 27.6 x 0.8 inch
$655

Courtesy at the ice rink
Gabrielle Rul
Painting - 31 x 23 x 0.1 cm Painting - 12.2 x 9.1 x 0 inch
$476








Svalyava Region
Alexander Shandor
Painting - 80 x 100.1 x 7.6 cm Painting - 31.5 x 39.4 x 3 inch
$4,400

Picturesque Region
Alexander Shandor
Painting - 58.4 x 78.7 x 7.6 cm Painting - 23 x 31 x 3 inch
$3,400

























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
$655




Two appletrees in spring
Pol Ledent
Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
$655






Light in a colourful wood
Pol Ledent
Painting - 60 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
$893


Autumn in my countryside
Pol Ledent
Painting - 60 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
$833









Winterlight on my village
Pol Ledent
Painting - 50 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch
$833






Oak and blue cornflowers
Pol Ledent
Painting - 60 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
$833



Old village in my countryside
Pol Ledent
Painting - 60 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
$893

