The artwork “Alley Bordered by Trees” was created by Vincent van Gogh in 1884, during his time in Nunen, Netherlands. It illustrates Van Gogh’s realism phase and measures 12.5 x 20.6 cm. The medium used is a combination of chalk, watercolor, and paper, and the piece falls within the landscape genre. Currently, this piece is housed in a private collection.
The artwork depicts a rural scene featuring a straight path or road receding into the distance, bordered on both sides by tall, slender trees that appear almost leafless, likely placing the scene in the colder months or showing young or newly planted trees. The perspective used draws the viewer’s eye towards the vanishing point at the horizon. The color palette consists of muted earth tones with heightened contrasts, particularly between the path and the dark silhouettes of the trees and figures. Two figures in dark clothing are visible walking down the path, one closer to the foreground and the other further away, adding a human element to the composition. They are portrayed with minimal detail, emphasizing their roles as part of the broader landscape rather than as individual portraits. The sky is depicted with lighter tones, suggesting perhaps the presence of a light source or a clearing in the weather. The overall mood is one of quiet and perhaps solitude, characteristic of Van Gogh’s exploration of rural life and nature during his early artistic period.
