Elena Rossi
During the last ten weeks of his life, Vincent van Gogh spent his time in Auvers-sur-Oise, a village outside Paris. In this short period, he produced several paintings, including his famous portrait of Dr. Gachet, which sold for $82.5 million in 1990, and a portrait of the doctor's 12-year-old daughter, Adeline Ravoux. Van Gogh was inspired by the beauty of Auvers, painting its church, thatched cottages, and the wheat fields surrounding the village. It is believed that he completed seventy-seven paintings during his time in Auvers, his final masterpiece being 'Tree Roots', completed on 27 July 1890, before he took his own life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of paintings completed in Auvers-sur-Oise | 77 |
| Time spent in Auvers-sur-Oise | May to July, about 70 days |
| Notable paintings | The Church at Auvers-sur-Oise, Notre Dame, Blossoming Chestnut Branches, Portrait of Dr. Gachet, Tree Roots, Wheatfield with Crows |
| Inspiration | Colourful gardens, vineyards, flowering chestnut trees, wheatfields |
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What You'll Learn
Van Gogh completed 77 paintings in Auvers
Vincent van Gogh completed 77 paintings in Auvers-sur-Oise, France, during the last ten weeks of his life. This period, from May to July 1890, is often overlooked in surveys of his work. However, it was a prolific time for the artist, who found something beautiful to paint everywhere in and around Auvers.
Van Gogh's time in Auvers was also marked by mental health struggles. He had been discharged from a mental institution shortly before his arrival and was counselled by Dr. Gachet, who had also advised Manet, Renoir, Cézanne, and Pissaro. Despite his inner demons, Van Gogh painted bucolic landscapes and colourful gardens, vineyards, and flowering chestnut trees.
The village church, Notre Dame, was the subject of one of Van Gogh's most famous paintings, and he also produced several exceptional portraits, including one of his landlord's 12-year-old daughter, Adeline Ravoux. Van Gogh signed the canvas and gave it to her, although she did not think it was a good likeness.
Van Gogh's final painting is believed to be of Daubigny's garden, although there are several versions of this work. After completing this picture, he walked into the wheat fields above the village and shot himself in the chest. He died in the early hours of 29 July 1890, with his brother, Theo, by his side.
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He painted bucolic landscapes and portraits
During the last ten weeks of his life, Vincent van Gogh painted seventy-seven paintings in Auvers-sur-Oise, a village outside Paris. He had arrived in Auvers on 20 May 1890, and died there on 29 July 1890.
Van Gogh found beauty everywhere in and around Auvers, painting bucolic landscapes and portraits. He was inspired by the abundance of greenery and flowers, painting colourful gardens, vineyards, and flowering chestnut trees. He also painted wheat fields, which could be seen from his burial site in the village cemetery.
The village church was a subject that particularly captivated Van Gogh. He wrote of his painting, "the building appears purplish against a sky of a deep and simple blue of pure cobalt". He compared this work with his 1885 painting of the old church in Nuenen.
Van Gogh also painted portraits in Auvers, aiming to depict the soul of the person portrayed. He painted a portrait of the 12-year-old Adeline Ravoux, the daughter of the landlord of the inn where he was lodging. He also painted the portrait of Dr. Gachet, who had counselled him during his stay in Auvers.
Van Gogh's time in Auvers was marked by his struggle with mental illness and his tragic death by suicide. Despite this, his paintings from this period are full of life and hope, with scant indication of his inner turmoil.
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His final painting was of Daubigny's Garden
During the final months of his life, Vincent van Gogh painted several works in Auvers, including three paintings of Daubigny's Garden. Van Gogh was inspired to paint the garden of his idol, Charles-François Daubigny, whose widow still occupied their house in Auvers when Van Gogh arrived in 1890. Daubigny was a French landscape artist who belonged to the Barbizon school and painted outdoor scenes of rivers and coasts. Van Gogh held Daubigny in high regard, and his garden was a source of artistic passion for him.
Van Gogh's final painting was 'Tree Roots', completed on 27 July 1890, before he died by suicide. However, his final painting of Daubigny's Garden was one of his "most carefully thought-out canvases", as he described it in a letter to his brother, Theo, on 23 July 1890. This painting was the second of the two double-square paintings of the full walled garden, and it lacked the black cat that appeared in the initial study on loan to the Kunstmuseum Basel.
The Daubigny's Garden paintings were created on double-square canvases, a format that allowed Van Gogh to capture the full beauty of the garden. The garden was beautifully manicured and landscaped, elevating Daubigny's posthumous reputation as a successful, cultured man of Auvers. Van Gogh's use of a pink base layer beneath the green paint of the garden created a vivid contrast, adding to the overall impact of the work.
The three paintings of Daubigny's Garden are now distinguished by the museums in which they reside: the Kunstmuseum Basel, the Hiroshima Museum of Art, and the Van Gogh Museum. The versions vary slightly, with the initial study including a black cat in the foreground, while the final version lacks this detail. Despite this, all three paintings are considered masterpieces, showcasing Van Gogh's unique style and talent.
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He painted the village church and its cemetery
During his final months in Auvers-sur-Oise, Vincent van Gogh painted several masterpieces, including the village church and its cemetery. The Church at Auvers, an oil painting created in June 1890, is now exhibited in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, France. The painting depicts a Gothic church building with violet hues against a deep blue sky, with its stained-glass windows appearing as ultramarine blotches, and a roof that is violet and partly orange. In the foreground, there are green plants in bloom and sand with a pink hue from the sunshine.
Van Gogh described the church in a letter to his sister on June 5, 1890, noting the similarities to his earlier studies of the old tower and cemetery in Nuenen but with more expressive and sumptuous colours. The foreground of the painting is brightly lit by the sun, while the church itself sits in shadow, neither reflecting nor emitting light. The Church at Auvers holds special significance as Van Gogh's brother, Theo, wanted to organise his funeral there. However, the priest refused as Van Gogh was Protestant and had committed suicide.
Van Gogh's final resting place is in the town cemetery near the church, alongside his brother, Theo, who passed away six months later from syphilis. Visitors can still explore Auvers-sur-Oise through Van Gogh's eyes, as the village retains much of its character from his time there. The auberge where he lived and the house of his friend and physician, Dr. Paul Gachet, have been preserved, providing a glimpse into the artist's final days.
Van Gogh's time in Auvers-sur-Oise was marked by his friendship with Dr. Gachet, who treated him during his last weeks. The artist enjoyed Gachet's company and painted portraits of him and his family, as well as the beautiful garden filled with colourful flowers and medicinal plants. Van Gogh's works from this period reflect a rich collection of canvases that showcase the beauty of Auvers-sur-Oise and his unique perspective on the world.
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He painted the inn where he was staying
During his final months in Auvers-sur-Oise, Vincent van Gogh painted several exceptional portraits and landscapes. He painted the inn where he was staying, with its blossoming chestnut branches and flowering trees. The inn was surrounded by beautiful greenery and colourful gardens, which inspired him to create vibrant works that captured the vitality of nature. Van Gogh's time in Auvers-sur-Oise lasted from May to July 1890, and it was during this period that he created some of his most famous paintings.
The inn, with its blossoming chestnuts and vibrant surroundings, was a source of inspiration for Van Gogh. He painted the branches against a bright blue background, placing them in a pale pink vase. This painting, titled "Blossoming Chestnut Branches", evokes the energy and beauty of springtime. The painting is now on long-term loan at the Kunsthaus Zurich.
In addition to painting the inn and its surroundings, Van Gogh also created portraits of those he encountered. He painted a portrait of Adeline Ravoux, the 12-year-old daughter of the inn's landlord. Years later, Adeline recalled posing for him and noted that Van Gogh did not speak a word during their sitting but smoked his pipe continuously. Van Gogh signed the canvas and gifted it to her, although Adeline did not think it was a good likeness.
Van Gogh's time in Auvers-sur-Oise was marked by his struggles with mental health and his desire for a fresh start. He had recently been discharged from a mental institution and sought the help of Dr. Gachet, who was known for counselling artists. Despite his inner turmoil, Van Gogh found beauty and inspiration in Auvers-sur-Oise, creating a body of work that would become renowned for its mastery and emotional depth.
The village church in Auvers-sur-Oise also captured Van Gogh's artistic eye. He wrote about his painting of the church, describing it as "the building appears purplish against a sky of a deep and simple blue of pure cobalt". This work, titled "The Church at Auvers-sur-Oise", is now on display at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.
Van Gogh's time in Auvers-sur-Oise was brief but prolific, and it marked the final chapter of his itinerant career. He created seventy-seven paintings during his stay, contributing to his legacy as one of history's greatest painters.
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Frequently asked questions
Van Gogh completed 77 paintings in Auvers.
Auvers-sur-Oise is a village that is a day trip from Paris.
Van Gogh's paintings from Auvers include 'The Church at Auvers-sur-Oise', 'The Old Church Tower at Nuenen' ('The Peasants' Churchyard'), 'Thatched Cottages in Cordeville, Auvers-sur-Oise', 'Blossoming Chestnut Branches', 'Almond Blossom', and 'Portrait of Dr. Gachet'.
Van Gogh spent the final ten weeks of his life in Auvers, from May to July 1890. During this period, he created several of his most famous paintings, including bucolic landscapes and portraits.
