Trees and Undergrowth

Paintings of the sous-bois, evoking the trees and grassy undergrowth, were often made vertically on canvas, as opposed to horizontal views of sweeping landscapes.

This type of composition was rare before the 19th century when artists of the Barbizon School made paintings of forested areas in the Fontainebleau region of France.

He wrote, "Since I have been here, I have had enough work with the overgrown garden with its large pine trees, under which there grows tall and poorly-tended grass, mixed with all kinds of periwinkle."

[3] Van Gogh Museum says of Undergrowth with Ivy (F745): "The effect of light and shade created an almost abstract pattern, with small arcs of paint covering the entire surface of the canvas.

[6] Vincent's brother Theo, was quite impressed with his undergrowth, or sous-bois, paintings and that Ivy (F609) of this series was included in van Gogh's list of works to show at the Brussels Les XX in 1890.

[10] The Trees and Undergrowth or sous-bois series of works he made in Paris and Saint-Rémy pay homage to Van Gogh's early letters about ivy.