The artwork, entitled “A Corner of the Asylum and the Garden with a Heavy, Sawn-off Tree,” was created by Vincent van Gogh in 1889 while he was residing in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France. Utilizing chalk, ink, and paper, this illustration, representative of the Post-Impressionism movement, serves as a sketch and study piece. It remains in a private collection.
In the artwork, a prominent, heavy, sawn-off tree dominates the foreground, its form rendered with bold and expressive lines. The tree features a rugged texture, suggestive of its truncation. Surrounding the tree is a garden scene, characterized by Van Gogh’s signature sense of movement in the foliage and vegetation, achieved through dynamic line work. On the right, a structure possibly representing the asylum is depicted with rectilinear forms contrasting the organic shapes of the trees. The composition echoes Van Gogh’s contemplative state and intense connection to his surroundings during his stay at the asylum. The choice of medium and technique highlights the artist’s study of light, line, and form.
