Cypresses and Two Women 1890

This painting by Vincent van Gogh depicts two women beneath the towering presence of cypresses, rendered with fervent brushstrokes. The cypress, reaching towards the heavens, is not merely a tree here, but a symbol laden with historical weight. Since antiquity, the cypress has stood as a poignant emblem of mourning and immortality, its dark, flame-like form found in graveyards from Greece to Italy, signifying eternal life beyond earthly bounds. Consider how the cypress has been painted in the past: think of classical depictions of death, and its presence becomes associated with themes of grief, remembrance, and spiritual transcendence. Here, Van Gogh imbues the cypress with a palpable, almost feverish energy, its spiraling form pulsating with life even as it hints at somber truths. It shows how symbols are reborn through the ages, carrying their history, while also taking on new meaning. We see how the artist's own anguish and longing intertwine with the timeless power of these images. The cypress embodies our collective memory of death and remembrance, resurfacing here with renewed intensity.