Olive Trees — Vincent van Gogh

ABOUT THIS WORK

Twisting, gnarled trunks and vibrant, restless foliage dominate this canvas, painted during a period of intense artistic output. The olive trees, a subject Van Gogh explored in a series, pulse with an almost human energy, their forms rendered with thick, expressive brushstrokes that capture the light and movement of the Provençal landscape. The ground beneath them is a riot of color, a mix of ochre, green, and blue, suggesting the earth's fertility and the warmth of the sun. Even the sky, often a placid backdrop, swirls with a dynamic rhythm, echoing the vitality of the trees below. This painting offers a profound vision of nature, imbued with a deep emotional resonance that goes beyond mere representation.

DETAILS

Artist: Vincent van Gogh
Date: 1853
Medium: Oil on canvas
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Dimensions: 28 5/8 x 36 1/4 in. (72.7 x 92.1 cm)
Collection: European Paintings
Credit line: The Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg Collection, Gift of Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg, 1998, Bequest of Walter H. Annenberg, 2002

ART MOVEMENTS

Expressionism Post-Impressionism

LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

Five details hide in plain sight. Pick one and we’ll show you exactly where to look.

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01

Swirling leaf strokes

In the big tree at left, leaves are tiny curved strokes of light and dark green. They swirl in clusters, so the foliage seems to move.

1 of 5 on the painting

02

Cut tree stump

The sawn green trunk in the center is a clear stopping point for the eye. Its flat cut top and heavy reddish outline set it apart from the twisting trees around it.

2 of 5 on the painting

03

Dotted sky

Look at the sky, built from thousands of short dabs in blue, pink and cream. The paint sits thick, so the air seems to shimmer.

3 of 5 on the painting

04

Purple shadows

Many of the shadows on the ground are painted purple, not gray. Their cool color plays against the orange and yellow soil and helps the sunlight feel strong.

4 of 5 on the painting

05

Combed field texture

The foreground earth is made of short, rhythmic strokes in orange, gold and brown. They run in rows like furrows and give the ground a woven feel.

5 of 5 on the painting

AUDIO DEEP DIVE

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THE ARTIST