Olive Trees with Yellow Sky and Sun
Saint=Remy November 1889
Minneapolis, The Minneapolis
Institute Of Arts
The writhing struggle to emerge into the bright light of Southern France, is symbolic of Vincent’s attempts to grow past the alcoholism that has tortured him, with unhappiness and seizures. The orchard with gnarled olive trees, is like the hospital, where he lived when this was painted. The burning intense sunlight casts transparent slim, orchid shadows on the tumultuous earth, like the fading evidence of madness. It is not easy or comfortable but the growth of the trees is visible. The cool pale distant mountain echoes the roiling rhythms of the orchard. Vincent was coming to grips with the knowledge, that he could pass beyond the confines of the earth he was planted in. The sun is so powerful a force in this painting, it seems to represent his faith in God; which had wavered during his darkest hours. He feels life stirring, perhaps for the first time in his life, which up to this point had been one depression and disappointment after the next.
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