Tree Roots

is an oil on canvas painting created by Vincent van Gogh in July 1890, during his stay in Auvers-sur-Oise, a small town just north of Paris. Here are some key points about the painting:

Composition and Style

The painting appears as a jumble of bright colors and abstract shapes at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it reveals tree roots, plants, and leaves set against the brown and yellow hues of a sandy woodland floor. Van Gogh employed powerful strokes and thickly applied paint, a technique known as impasto, to create a sense of motion and aliveness

Significance and Context

Tree Roots is considered by many scholars to be Van Gogh's last painting before his death in late July 1890. It is part of his series of double-square canvases, a format he used in his last landscapes

Location and Inspiration

The painting is believed to have been created near Auberge Ravoux, Van Gogh's hotel in Auvers-sur-Oise. In 2020, researchers identified the probable location of the painting using a historical postcard and photograph, pinpointing it to a spot on the rue Daubigny in Auvers-sur-Oise

Artistic and Emotional Depth

The painting features gnarled and twisted roots, painted in varying shades of blue, which evoke a sense of struggle and resilience. Despite the artist's mental turmoil, the painting includes patches of green leaves and yellow highlights, suggesting vitality and life. This contrast reflects Van Gogh's deep emotional state and his desire to express the essence and anguish of life through his art

Provenance and Exhibitions

The painting has been part of several exhibitions, including shows at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto. It was briefly stolen from the Van Gogh Museum in 1991 but was successfully recovered

Current Location

Tree Roots is currently on permanent loan to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, where it remains one of the museum's significant holdings.