Essay On Vincent Van Gogh's The Flowering Orchard

Vincent Van Gogh’s The Flowering Orchard and Claude Monet’s Spring (Fruit Trees in Bloom) are superficially similar paintings. They take place at the same time of year, at around the same time of day, and they depict similar subject matter. However, a long look at both paintings reveals that they have entirely separate energies and inspire different viewing experiences. Spring feels like a relaxed day overlooking a hilly scene. The Flowering Orchard, on the other hand, inspires energy and movement through the powerful forms of the trees. Each painter makes use of different techniques to accomplish these emotional goals. Overall, Monet’s Spring uses mixed textures and unrestrained composition to create a gentle and dreamy hilltop view. In contrast,

In the case of Monet’s Spring, we can see supportive structures holding up the two frontmost trees. Here the human interaction is tied directly to the support of the branches. In other words, humanity needs to intervene to create this beautiful landscape. Van Gogh’s The Flowering Orchard showcases a foreground scythe and rake. The scythe rests in the tree, while the rake stands upright closer to the viewer. Both of these tools are meant to deal with only the grass and the ground. This choice of tools suggests that the only necessary human interaction is with ground, and that these upright, strong trees are independent and free from the need of human intervention. That being said, the scythe is still placed in the tree, perhaps to show that with no human around to shape the grass, nature can still flourish beautifully. In addition, both the scythe and the rake are highly vertical symbols, both contributing to the composition of the piece. Overall, Monet’s Spring depicts a serene, dreamy view using a calming composition and soft depictions of trees, while van Gogh’s The Flowering Orchard creates upward energy and momentum using repeated vertical compositional techniques and forceful