Trees in Art

‘The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way.’ – William Blake

A thought-provoking visual exploration of the arboreal world

Full of life and beauty, trees are one of the most enduring and beloved subjects of art and have provided a rich source of inspiration for some of the most important artists of the recent past. From cave art and historical landscape painting to land art and contemporary environmental interventions, artists have used trees to communicate ideas that extend beyond the natural world and reflect on broader issues facing humanity. Indeed, in our advanced moment of climate crisis, the tree has taken on potent significance as a symbol for the natural environment. Trees have also provided the material for a range of artistic practices: wood for sculptures, bark and paper as a support for drawings and paintings.

Showcasing a wide range of works from around the globe and across time, this gift book will explore the tree as seen through the eyes of modern and contemporary artists. It will address the ways twentieth and twenty-first century artists have depicted trees and their cultural significance and explore how these imaginings have reflected changing attitudes towards ecology and environmentalism.