Tree Trunks in the Grass 1890

Vincent van Gogh’s ‘Tree Trunks in the Grass’ at the Kröller-Müller Museum is a masterclass in the use of color and texture. The painting immediately strikes the eye with its vibrant palette and the tactile quality of its surface. Van Gogh’s use of impasto is particularly significant here. Thick, expressive brushstrokes bring the tree trunks to life, lending them a sculptural presence. The bark is rendered in swirling blues, grays, and browns that convey both the rough texture and the inner vitality of the trees. This technique destabilizes traditional landscape painting. The lines between representation and abstraction become blurred. The ground is covered with a mosaic of wildflowers and grasses. These elements seem to vibrate with light and movement. He used short, staccato strokes of yellow, green, and white. These marks create a sense of depth and atmosphere. This painting isn't just a depiction of nature; it's an exploration of how paint can capture a moment, and a feeling.