Look at the lively brushwork that makes up this summer landscape: the thick layers of paint strokes convey the rush of the wind, the swaying of the trees and wheat field, and the extreme heat of the afternoon. Its sense of immediacy is striking; in fact, Van Gogh painted this landscape on the spot, directly from nature. When he arrived in the south of France in 1888, Van Gogh was drawn to the cypresses that were scattered throughout the countryside. This canvas is one of several paintings that focuses on these majestic trees. Van Gogh compared their form to that of an Egyptian obelisk and described them as “a splash of black in a sunny landscape.” The clarity of light and the vibrant colors of the countryside also attracted Van Gogh, who lived most of his life in less hospitable climates in northern Europe. In a letter to his brother Theo, he likened the sky in this painting to “a piece of scotch plaid,” and called the work one of his “best” summer landscapes. The art world was rapidly changing in Van Gogh’s lifetime, but artists still looked to tradition for inspiration—even Van Gogh himself. To hear more, press play.