Trees Leaning over Rocks

Paul Cezanne

National Gallery of Art

This image shows a view from below looking upward through a canopy of slender, arching trees. The horizon is not prominently defined, as the focus is on the upward view amid the trees. The image is executed with loose, sketchy strokes, using thin lines and faint washes of color to suggest the trees and their leaves. The color palette includes cool blues, soft greens, and hints of earthy browns. There is a sense of openness and tranquility created by the sparseness of detail and large areas of white space in the background.