Mulberry Tree 1889

Curator: Van Gogh’s "Mulberry Tree," painted in 1889 while he resided at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum, immediately grabs attention. It's currently housed at the Norton Simon Museum. Editor: My first impression? An intense dynamism! The impasto technique just vibrates with energy, especially that furious application of ochre, gold, and deep orange paint. I want to know about his brushstrokes! Curator: It's remarkable how that single tree becomes a universe. The mulberry, traditionally a symbol of nourishment and protection, is rendered with a turbulent sky, possibly reflecting Van Gogh's internal struggles during his stay at the asylum. Do you agree? Editor: Perhaps. But I'm more struck by how the heavy impasto, visible ridges and swirls, showcases the sheer physical effort involved. This wasn't some ethereal, detached artistic process; it was a full-body engagement with materials under duress. Notice how the color vibrates. Curator: I’m fascinated by the contrast between the symbol of life, the tree, and the restless, almost agitated application of paint. It mirrors Van Gogh’s conflicting states, the will to live and the torment he experienced. The color evokes a sense of emotional fire. Editor: That raw emotionality resonates, but for me, the social aspect of it is quite evident. I can't separate the price of the paints, his dependence on his brother, and the very labour involved from understanding the emotional texture of the work. The work speaks to a cultural history of production. Curator: An interesting idea. The vibrant colours and distorted forms do carry a palpable sense of unease and a deeper sense of psychological distress but can also be a burst of creativity as the seasons transition. Editor: Exactly. The way the materials themselves contribute to that feeling is key. Curator: Reflecting on the work’s symbolism coupled with an examination of the expressive materials certainly deepens one's understanding of Van Gogh’s state during this period. Editor: Agreed. I am amazed that an image of tree made with humble materials can teach us so much about both material and psychological reality.