Two Poplars in the Alpilles near Saint-Rémy
1889
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1889
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
You see two tall poplar trees bending against a stormy sky, their leaves a mix of green and yellow. The ground is a patchwork of short brushstrokes in blues and browns. Van Gogh painted this while staying at a hospital in France. He was allowed outside again, and these trees feel alive—almost like they’re dancing. The thick paint, called *impasto*, makes the scene jump off the canvas. If you like this, look up *impasto* to see how other artists used the same technique.
