This painting depicts two figures standing in a lush, green undergrowth. The figures appear to be in conversation, their faces illuminated by the sunlight that filters through the trees. The vibrant colors of the foliage contrast with the muted tones of the figures, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue. The
Trees and Undergrowth is the subject of paintings that Vincent van Gogh made in Paris, Saint-Rémy and Auvers, from 1887 through 1890. Van Gogh made several paintings of undergrowth, a genre of painting known as sous-bois that was brought into prominence by artists of the Barbizon School and the early Impressionists. The works from this series successfully use shades of color and light in the forest or garden interior paintings. Van Gogh selected one of his Saint-Rémy paintings, Ivy (F609) for the Brussels Les XX exhibition in 1890.