A broad expanse of vivid green grass fills the foreground, dotted with small yellow flowers that break up the uniformity of the field. A tree with a thick, twisting trunk rises from the right side, its branches stretching upward and outward, some marked by patches of orange and blue. To the left, more trees with pale, blossoming branches lean at angles, their limbs outlined in purple and blue, casting rhythmic shadows across the grass.

Behind the trees, a cluster of red-roofed buildings forms a horizontal band across the middle distance, their rooftops glowing against the softer tones of the sky. Cypress trees and other dark foliage punctuate the scene, providing vertical accents and a sense of depth between the houses and the trees in the foreground. The sky is animated with swirling strokes of blue, white, and hints of green, suggesting movement in the clouds and a breezy spring day.

Brushstrokes throughout the painting are energetic and visible, with short, parallel marks in the grass and more sinuous, curving lines in the trees and sky, characteristic of the artist's style. The composition is structured with strong diagonals: the slanting trees and the receding path guide the gaze into the depth of the scene, while the upright trunks and towers provide stability. Paint is applied thickly in some areas, especially in the blossoms and sky, creating a textured surface that catches the light. The Sower: Outskirts of Arles in the Background is painted by Vincent van Gogh in 1888, during his time in Arles.

The work is created in Arles, as noted in its title and the collection record.