“Garden of the Asylum and Tree Trunks and a Stone Bench,” created by Vincent van Gogh in 1889 in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, is a chalk drawing on paper from the Post-Impressionism art movement. This sketch and study genre artwork encapsulates Van Gogh’s period of convalescence while residing in the asylum, capturing the tranquil environment of the garden.
The artwork depicts a simple composition centered around a stone bench nestled among several robust tree trunks. The use of chalk on paper lends a textured and somewhat raw quality to the drawing, reflecting Van Gogh’s characteristic line work and emotional depth. The tree trunks are drawn with vigorous, expressive strokes that convey both the roughness of the bark and the serene stillness of the garden setting. The bench, situated at the heart of the composition, provides a focal point that invites contemplation. The sparse but deliberate details in the background suggest an enclosed, tranquil space, painting an intimate portrait of the artist’s immediate surroundings during a reflective period of his life.
