Fascinated by the play of light filtering through the trees onto the tangled undergrowth, it’s no wonder why Vincent van Gogh made so many paintings of such scenes.
Trees and Undergrowth by van Gogh
The effect of light changes from one minute to the next as clouds pass overhead and the breeze affects the movement of the leaves. The time of day also plays a role in how warm the light will appear on foliage and bark.
Nature is always changing, never stagnant, but some environments tend to reveal that quality more than others, and it’s no surprise that it’s in those places that we most feel alive.
Undergrowth by van Gogh
In springtime, new undergrowth looks especially fresh as a myriad of tiny plants blend together to create a living mosaic. Ferns unfurled add a lushness to the forest floor. Carpets of green wood sorrel replace last autumn’s dried leaves.
The emergent undergrowth provides a contrast to the vertical lines of the lichen covered trees. As saplings, these trees too were once a part of the undergrowth. Now their ongoing competition for light forces them to soar above one another, revealing their green lushness only in the canopy.
Trees with undergrowth of young balsam firs
Although he often exaggerated the intensity of Nature’s palette, van Gogh understood the importance of being outdoors to witness the effect of light on a landscape. Pictures and photographs can only begin to tell the story. Whether or not you’re a painter, the woods are waiting for a visit from you to show off their new spring growth.
Lady’s slipper orchids growing in Nova Scotia woods
It is not the language of painters but the language of nature which one should listen to…. The feeling for the things themselves, for reality, is more important than the feeling for pictures.
~ Vincent van GoghWood sorrel carpeting the forest floor
Paintings by Vincent van Gogh shown above:
Trees and Undergrowth (1887)
Section of Undergrowth with Two Figures (June 1890 Auvers)
Text and photographs copyright Amy-Lynn Bell 2012
Flandrum Hill 
Wonderful post! I love being in the woods at dawn and twilight because of how the light filters through all the fine foliage. Nature is very healing and necessary to our human lives–however much some may deny this connection. Thank you.
Eva, I enjoy being in the woods at dawn too. The light seems so warm at that time. Nature IS healing. I’m with you on that too 🙂
Those two paintings are exquisite – I also love how the light is filtered through the leaves, and if there’s a hint of mist in the air, it is all even more magical… makes me think of Celts and Druids and Magical Unicorns hiding in the forest… 😉
Reggie, those paintings were only a couple of many that he painted with an undergrowth theme. I had a difficult time choosing only two.
You’re so right about that mist. It’s the icing on the cake as far as trees and undergrowth are concerned 🙂
It’s an artistry all in itself.
Patti, it’s just so beautiful isn’t it?
Beautifully expressed Amy-Lynn.
Don’t recall seeing the first van Gogh painting. Really like it.
Thanks Sybil. About 800 of van Gogh paintings have survived over the years. He was very prolific considering these were painted over a period of just a decade. We get so accustomed to seeing only his most famous works. I too enjoy seeing ones that are new to my eyes.
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