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Pictures of trees for artistic inspiration
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Seven Famous Tree Paintings Inspired By Nature
Art inspired by the beauty of trees are one of the most common natural elements that art lovers collect. Whether paintings, photographs of trees, sculptures or other various types of media, there is no denying the wonder, power and inspiration of trees. People enjoy tree images because they’re often easy to incorporate into an existing gallery, due to how natural elements tend to flow well with both organic and inorganic subjects.
As a photographer, and lover of trees myself, I am inspired by the great painters who themselves turned to nature for inspiration, creating some of the masterpieces of our time that showcase the art of trees. I have had the honor of producing high quality wall art for thousands of clients over the past decade to be used as primary focal points in their homes and when it comes to popularity, without question, my tree photography art towers above all.
Telling Stories With Art
Both paintings and photographs can tell a story , though most of the time, paintings are more open ended along with the artist’s style and intent. Both art forms are connected, as photography aims to preserve a moment in time and an element of nature, like trees, exactly as they are at that time. Paintings take the sources of those same images and change them into a work of art that’s influenced by societal elements of the time, the artist’s mindset, and other factors that make the work unique.
When we think of history’s most famous paintings, masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper often come to mind. Taking a dive into the most famous tree paintings of all time provides us with a wealth of beautiful artwork, inspired by nature.
Seven Famous Tree Paintings
Trees are often used in art to symbolize new life, though the nature of the painting can place both positive and negative connotations on the points made. For example, a bright, blooming tree might be painted to celebrate the birth of a child or recovery from a long illness. On the other hand, dark, gnarled trees might display sorrow and melancholy surrounding the death of a loved one and the life that continues from that point on.
Let’s explore seven of the most famous tree paintings in existence to gain perspective on this type of symbolism.
Olive Trees with Yellow Sky & Sun by Vincent Van Gogh
Vincent Van Gogh barely needs introduction for even entry-level art enthusiasts, as he is well known for both the mental health struggles he suffered from during his lifetime, and the body of beautiful paintings he created. Van Gogh was born in the Netherlands but spent much of the latter part of his life in France.
Van Gogh created this painting during the time he spent in Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum, which is located in Saint Remy de Provence, France. The artist had just recovered from a recent illness and decided to go outside to take in the natural views, which included the olive trees included in his famous painting.
Cairn in Snow by Caspar David Friedrich
Caspar David Friedrich was a 19th-century German artist who became famous for his symbolic landscape paintings. Often dark in tone, Friedrich’s paintings provoked thoughts and a search for deeper meaning due to the stirring imagery he used to make a statement.
Friedrich painted Cairn in Snow, an image capturing a pagan burial site among barren oak trees , in 1807. It’s a winter image, and as such, the trees are without leaves. The setting is quite somber and meaningful, illustrating a lonely area near a German town. Notice the stacked stones amongst the trees, which signify a secret burial area.
Avond (Evening) the Red Tree by Piet Mondrian
Piet Mondrian is a well-known Dutch painter who was one of the creators of De Stijl (“The Style”), a concept that placed emphasis on the power of abstract art. In the early 1900s, Mondrian expanded upon his current art style in ways that allowed him to express his unique talents through the use of colors and abstract shapes.
Possibly influenced by Van Gogh’s work, Mondrian completed Avond (Evening) the Red Tree in 1908. The image depicts a bright red tree against a deep blue background, which was part of what set him apart from other artists of his time. He embraced non-traditional painting and used colors that defied nature’s depictions of his subjects.
Almond Blossoms by Vincent Van Gogh
Appearing again in this list is Vincent Van Gogh, who painted another one of the world’s most famous tree paintings called Almond Blossoms . The image displays branches and blossoms of an almond tree set against a beautiful blue sky. He was influenced by Japanese printmaking during the creation of this piece, which was made as a gift for his brother and sister-in-law, who’d just had a baby. Van Gogh’s nephew, Vincent Willem (named after Van Gogh) later founded the Van Gogh Museum.
Forest in Autumn by Gustave Courbet
Gustave Courbet was a well-rounded French painter who captured his subjects using a Realist art style that defied traditional methods of the time. Many of his paintings in the 1840s gained him considerable success in the art world, and in addition to the beauty his work displayed, it often made social commentary as well. Courbet created portraits, still lifes, landscapes, nudes, and political subjects.
Forest in Autumn displays, as the title states, a forested area during the Fall season. As such, the painting contains rich orange, red, and yellow color elements. While it embraces Realism as a style, Courbet’s individual techniques shine through to enhance the whimsical tone of his landscapes.
Giant Redwood Trees of California by Albert Bierstadt
Albert Bierstadt, a 19th-century German-American artist, painted this famous image around 1874 when he was in his 40s. Part of what sets this painting apart from other landscape images of the time is Bierstadt’s perspective. Rather than using horizontal canvases to exhibit wide scenes, he used a vertical canvas to showcase the sheer height of the American redwood trees that inspired the creation of this painting.
La Grenouillere by Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Renoir created this Impressionist painting alongside his friend and fellow artist Claude Monet, a session that allowed each artist to create their own version of the same image. The painting depicts people on a floating dock in La Grenouillere, and the trees in the image serve as both a contrast to the water and a focal point for the image. It’s a classic painting that captures the depth of Renoir’s work.
Working with natural sources like trees gives those who appreciate art the ability to take a close look at the individualized elements that make one artist’s painting stand out from others. Despite having similar styles or being painted around similar times, trees are such a versatile subject that they enable the spirit and intent of the artist to shine.
Tree Painting ~ My inspiration for creating a whole series of tree artworks
Tree Painting. Out walking I tune into the trees and feel an exchange, just being in their presence opens a doorway to another magical world. I am drawn to their beautiful energy and strength, seeing each one as a special soul whom holds great knowledge and healing.
All of my trees have a face, a personality, an opening to communication – see if you can spot their features as they are often hidden. For me, I gaze at the trees, they are not stationary, but dancing in the wind, almost to an imaginary music only they can hear.
They can be dancing wild and free in celebration as in my painting ‘dancing tree spirits’, (below) or gently bending with the wind like ‘hawthorne’.
You can browse ALL my original tree paintings here.
And you can browse all my tree prints here.
Back in my studio, in meditation, I tune back into the tree I am painting, open a communication, absorb myself in their magic, and then allow their essence to be expressed onto the canvas for my viewer – the Apple- a gentle energy, teaching us of abundance and to have an open heart, the Oak – inner strength, great wisdom, courage and grounding.
I am not the first to communicate with trees, the Celts had a Tree Ogham, a secret language of symbols dating back to 500BC, a spiritual understanding of each tree’s subtle energy and wisdom.
I have included these ancient symbols in my paintings, and as I did so, I had a very definite feeling it was not the first time I had scribed them.
We have come along way from our Celtic ancestors’ beliefs where everything is interconnected.
My aim is that these tree paintings may help us re-connect with our beautiful trees, and understand the great gifts they offer us – the air we breathe, and so much, much more.
‘Apple’ Tree Painting
Abundance, opening the heart, trust, joy, gratitude.
The Apple tree teaches us to value, give gratitude and celebrate all we have in our lives. To give all, open our hearts in total trust that all will be replenished and that there is enough, thus opening the flow of abundance into our lives on all levels. It also encourages acceptance of oneself and others, and restores in us a sense of beauty and love.
‘Oak’ Tree Painting
Ancient wisdom, Inner strength, courage, grounding, a doorway.
The oak will help lead a way to the truth, and this revelation will bring strength and vision and open a gateway to new understanding. ‘The ancient wisdom of Oak helps restore our will and self determination, keeps our feet on the ground and focused, and restores faith in the vision of what we are working towards.
‘Hawthorne’ Tree Painting
Healing, trust, spiritual growth, union, protection.
Hawthorne is a tree considered to be wild, yet enchanted, and under the protection of the Faerie realms and the old magic, and as such should be greatly respected. It can help us to release blocked energy and open our hearts, trust and let go of fear, and align ourselves to our spiritual development. It is often used by Pagans in marriage ceremonies, for it reflects the union of the forces of Nature.
‘Plum blossom’ Tree Painting
Hope, purity, peace, beauty, nobility.
Plum blossom heralds the coming of spring, gives up hope, and is said to be a lucky symbol and one representing nobility. It was not included in the Celtic Tree Ogham, but I tuned in, and felt the symbol I have scribed represents its’ beautiful essence.
‘Pine’ Tree Painting
Far seeing, inner wisdom, purification.
This tall, Scots Pine tree, helps us to see beyond the present, and be able to see things from another’s point of view, thus promoting inner wisdom and healing. In ancient times the Pine evergreen tree was a symbol of the continuation of life during winter, when all other vegetation had died, and was decorated with bright baubles and lights to encourage the return of the sun. We continue this custom today when we decorate our Pine Christmas trees.
‘Silver Birch’ Tree Painting
A new start, rebirth, new opportunities, healing & nourishment.
The Birch represents a new beginning, a new opportunity, a new journey, physical or spiritual. It helps us prepare for change, and nourishes us, helping us to let go of old beliefs and patterns. In the past it was used as a cleanser and for driving out evil. Now it teaches us to let go of any unhelpful influences in our lives which are holding us back, allowing us space to start our new journey.
‘Poplars’ Tree Painting
Listen to your inner voice, trust, healing, rebirth.
The Poplar, or Aspen, is often referred to as the ‘whispering tree’. As it is blown by the wind it quivers and whispers to us. It teaches us to listen to our own inner voice and trust the wisdom of our own divine spirit. Once we can connect with this love, and trust our own knowing, we experience a great sense of peace and feeling of well-being and can experience the joy of life fearlessly.
‘Golden Willow’ Tree Painting
Intuition, flexibility, surrendering, feminine, inner strength, healing.
Willow helps us to move through the many levels of sadness, expressing the pain through tears and grief, bringing great healing. It teaches us there is always new life, new direction and the capacity for growth and healing. It encourages us to surrender, let go of our emotions and go with the flow of life. It helps with our ability to follow our intuition and trust our own knowing.
