21 Gorgeous Garden Paintings to Help You Cultivate Calm
Summary
This article presents 21 stunning garden paintings from various art movements and periods, capturing the essence of gardens as places of tranquility and inspiration. From Monet’s lush Giverny to Bosch’s fantastical scenes, these artworks offer a visual escape into nature’s beauty, encouraging readers to find calm and inspiration in their own gardens this summer.
Reflection Questions
- Which painting resonated with you the most, and why did it evoke a sense of calm or inspiration for you?
- How do you think the artists’ interpretations of gardens reflect their personal experiences and the cultural context of their times?
- In what ways can the serene qualities of these garden paintings be incorporated into your daily life to create moments of peace and reflection?
Journal Prompt
Reflect on a moment when you felt a deep connection to nature, similar to the scenes depicted in the garden paintings. Describe the setting, your feelings, and how that experience influenced your perspective on finding calm and tranquility in everyday life. How can you recreate or draw inspiration from that moment to cultivate your own oasis of calm this summer?
When children are home from school and we struggle to balance work and play, finding moments of peace and tranquility can feel like a rare luxury. For centuries, humans have cherished gardens as sanctuaries set apart from the rest of world for moments just like that. Throughout history, artists all around the world have captured the essence of these spaces—suspending them in time for us to enjoy. In this article, we explore 21 breathtaking garden paintings that not only celebrate the splendor of nature but also offer a gentle respite from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Some are realist, some are impressionistic, some are surreal, and some are abstract, but all are inspiring, intriguing, and incredibly beautiful. We hope these paintings transport you to a place of quiet reflection and inspire you to cultivate your own oasis of calm this summer.
21 Gorgeous Garden Paintings to Help You Cultivate Calm This Season
The Artist’s Garden at Giverny (Le Jardin de l’artiste à Giverny) by Claude Monet, 1900
Currently housed in the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, “The Artist’s Garden at Giverny” is a stunning representation of Claude Monet’s beloved garden. A founding figure of the Impressionist movement, Monet is known for his emphasis on light and color. This painting captures the vibrant flowers in full bloom, dripping trees, and dappled light of his lush garden in Giverny. It reflects Monet’s dedication to portraying the beauty and tranquility of nature.
Plum Garden, Kameido by Andō Hiroshige, 1857
“Plum Garden, Kameido” is a famous ukiyo-e woodblock print by Edo period master Andō Hiroshige. This particular painting depicts the plum blossoms at Kameido Tenjin Shrine in Tokyo. It showcases Hiroshige’s skill in capturing seasonal beauty and his unique perspective on landscapes. His style is characterized by bold colors and striking compositions.
The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch, 1490 – 1510
This is certainly not one of the traditional garden scenes you might have expected when clicking on this article, but we couldn’t leave this fantastical painting off the list. Housed in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, “The Garden of Earthly Delights” is a triptych by Hieronymus Bosch.
Known for his detailed and fantastical style, Bosch’s painting features a complex and surreal garden scene full of symbolic imagery. The central painting shows a lush, vibrant garden teeming with both beauty and bizarre creatures. It reflects Bosch’s unique vision of paradise and temptation.
Irises by Vincent van Gogh, 1889
Created by the artist in 1889, Vincent van Gogh’s “Irises” is currently housed in the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. Painted during his stay at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, this work showcases Van Gogh’s characteristic use of bold, vibrant colors and dynamic brushstrokes. The irises are depicted with a sense of movement and emotion, which is typical of Van Gogh’s expressive style.
The Artist’s Garden at Eragny by Camille Pisarro, 1898
Camille Pissarro’s “The Artist’s Garden at Eragny” is part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. An important figure in the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements, Pisarro captured the peaceful, sunlit garden of his home in Eragny. His use of light and color reflects his deep appreciation for nature and rural life.
The Soul of the Rose by John William Waterhouse, 1908
“The Soul of the Rose” by John William Waterhouse—an artist associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood—is currently held at a private collection. This romantic painting features a woman in a lush garden—lost in the fragrance of a blooming rose. Waterhouse’s style is marked by its detailed, romantic portrayal of women and nature—often drawing inspiration from literature and mythology.
Old Garden by Nikolai Triik, 1917
Nikolai Triik’s “Old Garden” is part of the collection at the Art Museum of Estonia. An Estonian artist known for his Symbolist and Expressionist works, Triik depicts a serene garden scene with a dreamlike quality. His use of muted colors and soft lines creates a sense of nostalgia and tranquility.
The Dream (Le Rêve) by Henri Rousseau, 1910
Housed in the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Henri Rousseau’s “The Dream” depicts a fantastical jungle scene rather than a traditional garden. A self-taught artist often categorized under Naïve art, Rousseau is known for his imaginative and detailed depictions of exotic landscapes. This painting is filled with lush vegetation and wild animals. It captures a dreamlike, otherworldly atmosphere.
Woman with a Parasol in a Garden by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 1875
Now part of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum’s collection in Madrid, Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s “Woman with a Parasol in a Garden” is a charming depiction of leisurely life. Another Impressionist painter, Renoir uses soft brushstrokes and a bright color palette to portray a woman enjoying a sunny day in a garden. His work often emphasizes the beauty of everyday moments.
Garden by Francisco Iturrino, 1913-1919
Francisco Iturrino’s “Garden” can be found in the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. A Spanish painter associated with Fauvism and Post-Impressionism, Iturrino uses bold, vibrant colors and expressive brushstrokes to depict a lush, blooming garden. His work captures the vitality and exuberance of nature.
Golding Constable’s Flower Garden by John Constable, 1815
John Constable painted “Golding Constable’s Flower Garden” in 1815. Today, this painting of his father’s English garden is housed in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. A key figure in the Romantic movement, Constable is known for his detailed and atmospheric landscapes. This painting reflects his love for the English countryside and his skill in capturing natural light and texture.
The Poet’s Garden by Vincent van Gogh, 1888
“The Poet’s Garden” by Vincent van Gogh is currently located in the Kröller-Müller Museum in the Netherlands. This vibrant painting depicts a garden in Arles, showcasing Van Gogh’s signature use of bold colors and dynamic brushstrokes. The garden is filled with flowers and trees—reflecting Van Gogh’s deep connection to nature and his emotional intensity.
A view of the artist’s house and garden, in Mills Plains, Van Diemen’s Land by John Glover, 1835
John Glover’s “A View of the Artist’s House and Garden, in Mills Plains, Van Diemen’s Land” was painted in 1835. It is now part of the collection at the National Gallery of Australia.
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An English-born Australian artist, Glover is known for his detailed and picturesque landscapes. This painting captures the beauty of his garden in Tasmania. It demonstrates Glover’s meticulous attention to detail and light.
White Blossom in the Garden by Paul Klee, 1920
Painted a few years after World War I, Paul Klee’s “White Blossom in the Garden” is now housed in the Zentrum Paul Klee in Switzerland. A Swiss-German painter, Klee is known for his abstract and symbolic style. This painting features abstracted, whimsical representations of garden blossoms that reflect Klee’s playful use of color and form.
Lydia Crocheting in the Garden at Marly by Mary Cassatt, 1880
Mary Cassatt’s “Lydia Crocheting in the Garden at Marly” is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This painting depicts the artist’s sister in a tranquil garden setting. An American painter and printmaker, Cassatt is associated with the Impressionist movement. Her work often focuses on intimate domestic scenes, and this painting highlights her delicate brushwork and attention to detail.
The Enchanted Garden by Marie Spartali Stillman, 1889
Marie Spartali Stillman’s “The Enchanted Garden” is part of a private collection. A Pre-Raphaelite painter, Stillman is known for her detailed and romantic depictions of women and nature. With people in period dress, this painting features a lush, idealized garden scene that captures a sense of magic we still associate with medieval and Renaissance lore.
Cottage Garden with Sunflowers by Gustav Klimt, 1907
Housed in the Belvedere Museum in Vienna, Gustav Klimt’s “Cottage Garden with Sunflowers” is a vibrant depiction of a blooming garden. An Austrian symbolist painter, Klimt is known for his ornate and decorative style. This painting showcases his use of rich colors and intricate patterns to capture the beauty of the garden.
El Jardín De La Bailarina, Granada (The Bailarina Garden, Granada) by Santiago Rusiñol, Undated
Santiago Rusiñol’s “El Jardín De La Bailarina, Granada” can be found in the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya in Barcelona. A Spanish painter and writer, Rusiñol was a key figure in the Modernisme movement. This painting captures the serene beauty of a garden in Granada and reflects Rusiñol’s love for Mediterranean landscapes and his impressionistic style.
The Garden Studio by Anna Alma-Tadema, 1886-87
Anna Alma-Tadema’s “The Garden Studio” is part of a private collection. Alma-Tadema, the daughter of the famous painter Lawrence Alma-Tadema, was known for her detailed and delicate watercolor works. This painting depicts a serene garden studio with beautifully embroidered upholstery, paintings, and interesting potted plants. It might not be a traditional garden painting, but we hope it inspires your home’s transitional spaces.
The Lily Garden by Isabel Codrington, Undated
Isabel Codrington’s “The Lily Garden” is also part of a private collection. A British artist, Codrington is known for her vibrant and expressive use of color. This painting captures lush, blooming lilies in the foreground of a garden, with a statue of two children embracing in the background under a series of arches.
Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose by John Singer Sargent, 1885–86
Housed in the Tate Britain in London, John Singer Sargent’s “Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose” is a masterful depiction of two young girls lighting paper lanterns in a lush garden. An American expatriate artist, Sargent is known for his exquisite portraits and landscapes. This painting showcases his skill in capturing light and atmosphere—with a focus on the delicate interplay of color and shadow.
Final Thoughts: Drawing Inspiration from These Enchanted Gardens
We hope these paintings transported you and captivated you with their timeless beauty and tranquility. Immortalized on canvas, these paintings encourage us to take a pause, breathe, and immerse ourselves in the unending beauty of the outdoors—whether wild or curated. May these masterpieces inspire you to cultivate your own garden of serenity. We hope every moment blooms with beauty and every day is painted with the colors of your dreams. Enjoy these enchanted summer evenings in your garden before the summer ends!