Van Gogh’s Wheatfield with Crows, created in the last few weeks before the artist’s death, is linked directly to his state of melancholia.

Although the artist himself admits to the loneliness expressed in this painting, the wheatfield was meant to portray a bountiful countryside. Some creative art critics have obsessed over the painting so much that they started seeing things. Among the bizarre sightings in the artist’s brush strokes is an image of large birds that resembles archangel Gabriel stemming from his apparent desire to paint images of salvation. Needless to say, these interpretations have been dismissed as eccentric over-analysis of the painting.

This painting also appears in the recent film "Loving Vincent" as a backdrop for a few scenes. One scene involves Armand Roulin confronting Marguerite Gachet, Dr. Gachet’s daughter, about her relationship with Van Gogh. The film touches on several rumors surrounding Van Gogh’s life including Van Gogh’s alleged relationship with Marguerite Gachet. The story was likely inspired by Alyson Richman’s novel "The Last Van Gogh," which speculates on the relationship between the artist and Marguerite Gachet. The book’s cover promises all the drama of a romance novel or a lifetime movie. But let’s not judge the book by its cover.

"Loving Vincent’s" theory of Marguerite and Van Gogh’s affair traces accounts from the boatman and other villagers, although there is no solid evidence. The theory imagines Dr. Gachet at odds with Van Gogh because of Van Gogh’s relationship with Marguerite. The two lovers apparently meet in secret, taking boats out to the river. The relationship supposedly created conflict between Dr. Gachet and Van Gogh, who were close friends, culminating in a heated argument. The handsome Armand Roulin trying to piece together the events that transpired before the death of Van Gogh explores various rumors such as these. In the case of Marguerite, the rumor is put to an end by her in the film when she confesses she admired the artist but wasn’t involved in a romantic relationship with him.

Although many believe this painting to be Van Gogh’s last, Tree Roots is most likely the last painting by Van Gogh. It is clear why many are prone to associate Wheatfield with Crows with his death and depression, thus assuming it was Van Gogh’s last painting before he took his own life.