Pine Trees Seen against the Wall of the Asylum 1889

Vincent van Gogh rendered "Pine Trees Seen against the Wall of the Asylum" using pen and ink during his stay at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy, from 1889 to 1890. Van Gogh's decision to enter the asylum was influenced by a complex interplay of personal and societal factors. Mental health was heavily stigmatized and poorly understood in the 19th century, leading to isolation and despair for individuals like van Gogh. His landscapes are not merely depictions of nature but are imbued with his emotional and psychological states. Van Gogh sought solace and healing through nature, a sentiment echoed in his statement: "I remain in nature, and I feel more than ever how things are arranged by God." The asylum garden, with its towering pines, became a sanctuary, providing him with a sense of peace amidst his inner turmoil. The stark wall in the drawing serves as a reminder of his confinement, but the trees reach beyond it, symbolizing hope and resilience.