Two Poplars in the Alpilles near Saint-Rémy

Two Poplars in the Alpilles near Saint-Rémy is an intense oil on fabric painting created by Vincent van Gogh in 1889. This canvas captures the distinctive landscape surrounding the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where Gogh resided during one of his most emotionally and artistically productive periods. Reflecting his Post-Impressionist origins, the work features the characteristic rapid, impasto brushwork that defined his late career. While the piece stems from the cultural tradition of the Netherlands, it was executed entirely in the expressive light of the south of France.

The composition centers on two towering poplar trees, rendered with rhythmic, vertical strokes that emphasize their dramatic height against the distant, rolling forms of the Alpilles mountains. Gogh employed a highly subjective and vibrant palette, applying thick oil paint directly to the canvas to create tangible texture and movement across the surface. The energetic treatment of the sky, often interpreted as reflecting the artist’s mental state, contrasts sharply with the solidity of the foreground elements. This synthesis of natural observation and heightened expressive technique makes the painting a significant example of his mature style.

Executed just a year before his death, this 1889 painting is a crucial study of natural forms transformed by subjective interpretation. The work is held in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it serves as a cornerstone piece illustrating the transition into modern European art. Due to its status as a historical artwork, high-resolution images and fine art prints of Two Poplars in the Alpilles near Saint-Rémy are frequently available through public domain and educational resources, allowing broader access to Gogh’s profound visual legacy.