
Paysage des Alpes Suisse
Edoardo De Grada
Painting - 30 x 35.5 x 0.5 cm Painting - 11.8 x 14 x 0.2 inch
CHF 1,200
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 - 30 x 35.5 x 0.5 cm Painting - 11.8 x 14 x 0.2 inch
CHF 1,200
Painting - 28.5 x 36.5 x 1 cm Painting - 11.2 x 14.4 x 0.4 inch
CHF 870
Painting - 40.5 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 15.9 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
CHF 860
Painting - 52.5 x 41.5 x 2 cm Painting - 20.7 x 16.3 x 0.8 inch
CHF 1,020
Painting - 54 x 64.5 x 2 cm Painting - 21.3 x 25.4 x 0.8 inch
CHF 860
Painting - 46 x 38 x 2 cm Painting - 18.1 x 15 x 0.8 inch
CHF 920
Painting - 65 x 81 x 2 cm Painting - 25.6 x 31.9 x 0.8 inch
CHF 1,450
Painting - 60 x 81 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 31.9 x 0.8 inch
CHF 1,600
Painting - 61 x 46 x 2 cm Painting - 24 x 18.1 x 0.8 inch
CHF 1,270
Painting - 70 x 100 x 3 cm Painting - 27.6 x 39.4 x 1.2 inch
CHF 34,068
Painting - 78.7 x 101.6 x 2.5 cm Painting - 31 x 40 x 1 inch
CHF 123,929
Painting - 69.5 x 89.8 x 1.3 cm Painting - 27.4 x 35.4 x 0.5 inch
CHF 6,327
Painting - 46.2 x 38.8 x 2 cm Painting - 18.2 x 15.3 x 0.8 inch
CHF 2,239
Painting - 30 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
CHF 292
Painting - 46 x 61 x 2 cm Painting - 18.1 x 24 x 0.8 inch
CHF 3,060
Painting - 9.9 x 13.5 x 0.3 cm Painting - 3.9 x 5.3 x 0.1 inch
CHF 232
Painting - 100 x 100 x 3 cm Painting - 39.4 x 39.4 x 1.2 inch
CHF 1,703
Painting - 50 x 40 x 4 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 1.6 inch
CHF 2,063
Painting - 61 x 46 x 1.8 cm Painting - 24 x 18.1 x 0.7 inch
CHF 633
Painting - 60 x 81 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 31.9 x 0.8 inch
CHF 1,557
Painting - 81.3 x 91.4 x 2 cm Painting - 32 x 36 x 0.8 inch
CHF 3,419
Painting - 50 x 40 x 3 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch
CHF 1,400
Painting - 150 x 120 x 4 cm Painting - 59.1 x 47.2 x 1.6 inch
CHF 13,141
Painting - 61 x 50.8 x 2.5 cm Painting - 24 x 20 x 1 inch
CHF 3,407
Painting - 89 x 116 x 2.5 cm Painting - 35 x 45.7 x 1 inch
CHF 633
Painting - 182 x 92 x 5 cm Painting - 71.7 x 36.2 x 2 inch
CHF 9,539
Painting - 36 x 48 x 3 cm Painting - 14.2 x 18.9 x 1.2 inch
CHF 1,071
Painting - 60 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch
CHF 1,071
Painting - 31 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 12.2 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
CHF 243
Painting - 50 x 61 x 3 cm Painting - 19.7 x 24 x 1.2 inch
CHF 1,071
Painting - 82 x 60 x 4 cm Painting - 32.3 x 23.6 x 1.6 inch
CHF 487
Painting - 29.7 x 21 x 0.3 cm Painting - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch
CHF 1,071
Painting - 90 x 60 x 3 cm Painting - 35.4 x 23.6 x 1.2 inch
CHF 2,103
Painting - 55 x 46 x 1 cm Painting - 21.7 x 18.1 x 0.4 inch
CHF 3,248
Painting - 100 x 81 cm Painting - 39.4 x 31.9 inch
CHF 2,628
Painting - 100 x 100 cm Painting - 39.4 x 39.4 inch
Price upon request
Painting - 120 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 47.2 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch
CHF 1,655
Painting - 50 x 40 x 0.3 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch
CHF 584
Painting - 91.4 x 91.4 x 3.8 cm Painting - 36 x 36 x 1.5 inch
CHF 769
Painting - 99.8 x 119.9 x 2.5 cm Painting - 39.3 x 47.2 x 1 inch
CHF 3,846
Painting - 20 x 15 x 1.4 cm Painting - 7.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inch
CHF 535
Painting - 125 x 99.8 x 2.5 cm Painting - 49.2 x 39.3 x 1 inch
CHF 4,273
Painting - 33 x 24 x 2 cm Painting - 13 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch
CHF 866 CHF 693
Painting - 140 x 100 x 0.1 cm Painting - 55.1 x 39.4 x 0 inch
CHF 973
Painting - 40 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
CHF 827
Painting - 89 x 105 x 0.3 cm Painting - 35 x 41.3 x 0.1 inch
CHF 2,433
Painting - 150 x 130 x 2.5 cm Painting - 59.1 x 51.2 x 1 inch
CHF 1,752
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