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
Paysage : hiver n°1
Anne-Marie Cutolo
Painting - 73 x 60 x 3 cm Painting - 28.7 x 23.6 x 1.2 inch
Sold
The Turtle in the Tree
Tung-Wen Margue
Painting - 180 x 180 x 3 cm Painting - 70.9 x 70.9 x 1.2 inch
Sold
Obelisk, Villa Medici
Philippe Pradalié
Painting - 38 x 46 x 3 cm Painting - 15 x 18.1 x 1.2 inch
Sold
Un arbre, une feuille
Hubert Ollivier
Painting - 20 x 20 x 1.5 cm Painting - 7.9 x 7.9 x 0.6 inch
Sold
Rideau d'arbres
Gottfried Salzmann
Painting - 50.5 x 64.6 x 0.1 cm Painting - 19.9 x 25.4 x 0 inch
€7,670
Ombres sur la plage
Frédéric Cadiou
Painting - 35 x 27 x 2 cm Painting - 13.8 x 10.6 x 0.8 inch
€500
Terrace, Villa Medici II
Philippe Pradalié
Painting - 38 x 46 x 3 cm Painting - 15 x 18.1 x 1.2 inch
Sold
The Temple of Hercules
Philippe Pradalié
Painting - 100 x 81 x 3 cm Painting - 39.4 x 31.9 x 1.2 inch
Sold
Via Appia Antica III
Philippe Pradalié
Painting - 50 x 65 x 3 cm Painting - 19.7 x 25.6 x 1.2 inch
Sold
Via Santa Sabina
Philippe Pradalié
Painting - 97 x 130 x 3 cm Painting - 38.2 x 51.2 x 1.2 inch
Sold
Thunderstorm, Villa Medici
Philippe Pradalié
Painting - 130 x 162 x 3 cm Painting - 51.2 x 63.8 x 1.2 inch
Sold
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
€1,590
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
€600
And the Tree Blossoms
Tetiana Pchelnykova
Painting - 90.8 x 135 x 2 cm Painting - 35.7 x 53.1 x 0.8 inch
€1,800
Red-Tailed Hawks No. 2
Elizabeth Becker
Painting - 66 x 101.6 x 0.3 cm Painting - 26 x 40 x 0.1 inch
€3,053
My children's magical garden
Yehor Dulin
Painting - 100 x 140 x 2 cm Painting - 39.4 x 55.1 x 0.8 inch
€3,646
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
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
€2,734
The Marina of the Marmaris
Andrii Chebotaru
Painting - 88.9 x 99.1 x 2.5 cm Painting - 35 x 39 x 1 inch
€3,190
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
€3,418
Chêne de Bastigales
Bernadette Van Baarsen
Painting - 20 x 20 x 0.2 cm Painting - 7.9 x 7.9 x 0.1 inch
€730
Les îles, l'arbre (3)
Catherine Clare
Painting - 160 x 55 x 2.5 cm Painting - 63 x 21.7 x 1 inch
€1,450
Beginning to shine. Pine trees.
Iryna Bondar
Painting - 60 x 70 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 27.6 x 0.8 inch
€550
Courtesy at the ice rink
Gabrielle Rul
Painting - 31 x 23 x 0.1 cm Painting - 12.2 x 9.1 x 0 inch
€400
Svalyava Region
Alexander Shandor
Painting - 80 x 100.1 x 7.6 cm Painting - 31.5 x 39.4 x 3 inch
€4,010
Picturesque Region
Alexander Shandor
Painting - 58.4 x 78.7 x 7.6 cm Painting - 23 x 31 x 3 inch
€3,099
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
Discover the styles & movements
Discover the selection of our experts
Snow-Covered Serenity
Stepan Ohanyan
Painting - 60 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch
€592
Greek olive tree
Marcus Cederberg
Photography - 70 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch
€200
Untitled - Expression no. 1
Jackson Pollock
Print - 58.5 x 74 x 0.2 cm Print - 23 x 29.1 x 0.1 inch
€44,000
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
La forêt intérieure
Clémence Dupuch
Painting - 80 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch
€1,600
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.