The artwork, titled “Pollard Willow,” was created by Vincent van Gogh in 1881 in the Netherlands. This piece, rendered in chalk and watercolor on paper, is part of the Realism art movement and falls under the landscape genre. It is currently housed at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
In “Pollard Willow,” the viewer is presented with a striking depiction of a solitary willow tree dominating the foreground. The tree’s trunk is robust and textures are intricately detailed, showcasing Van Gogh’s deft hand with chalk and watercolor. Surrounding the central tree, the landscape is minimally depicted, emphasizing the starkness and resilience of the willow. The composition captures a moment of quietude in nature, characterized by the sparseness of the additional trees in the background and the desolate atmosphere. The earthy tones used in the artwork enhance its realism and evoke a connection to the natural world of the Dutch countryside.