Elena Rossi
In May 1890, Vincent van Gogh moved to Auvers-sur-Oise, a village north of Paris. He spent his final months there, producing some of his best-loved paintings, including Thatched Cottages at Cordeville and Daubigny's Garden, the latter of which is believed to be his final work. Van Gogh's time in Auvers-sur-Oise was marked by his struggles with mental health and deepening concerns, which were reflected in his artwork. The countryside and village scenes of Auvers-sur-Oise inspired van Gogh, and he captured the beauty and character of the region in his paintings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Subject | Portraits, landscapes, and still lifes |
| Medium | Oil paint, etching |
| Colours | Bright, fresh, blue, pink, green, yellow, cobalt |
| Style | Turbulent |
| Inspiration | Local olive groves, wheat fields, sunflowers, chestnut trees, vineyards, flowering trees, the village church |
| Number of Works | Approximately 70 oils |
| Examples | Portrait of Dr. Gachet, Thatched Cottages at Cordeville, Blossoming Chestnut Branches, Wheat Field with Crows, Daubigny's Garden |
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What You'll Learn
Portraits of Dr. Gachet and his daughter
The Portrait of Dr. Gachet is one of Vincent van Gogh's most revered paintings. It depicts Dr. Paul Gachet, a homeopathic doctor, amateur painter, and artist who took care of Van Gogh during the final months of his life. Van Gogh resided with Gachet following a spell in an asylum at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
There are two authenticated versions of the portrait, both painted in June 1890 at Auvers-sur-Oise. Both portraits show Gachet sitting at a table, leaning his head on his right arm, but they are easily differentiated by colour and style. Van Gogh described Gachet's face as "sensitive" and displaying "the heartbroken expression of our time". In a letter to his sister, he wrote:
> "I've done the portrait of M. Gachet with a melancholy expression, which might well seem like a grimace to those who see it... Sad but gentle, yet clear and intelligent, that is how many portraits ought to be done... There are modern heads that may be looked at for a long time, and that may perhaps be looked back on with longing a hundred years later."
The portraits were completed just six weeks before Van Gogh's death. On the table in the painting are two yellow books and the purple medicinal herb foxglove, from which digitalis is extracted to treat certain heart complaints. This may be an attribute of Gachet as a physician.
Van Gogh also painted Gachet's then 19-year-old daughter, Marguerite, with whom he was rumoured to have fallen in love during his weeks in Auvers.
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Thatched Cottages at Cordeville
In 1890, Vincent van Gogh spent three months in Auvers-sur-Oise, a small village north of Paris, after leaving the Saint-Rémy asylum. During this time, he produced some of his best-loved works, including "Thatched Cottages at Cordeville".
"Thatched Cottages at Cordeville" is an oil painting completed by van Gogh in 1890. It is considered one of his most famous paintings from his time in Auvers-sur-Oise and is said to be among his best-loved works. The painting depicts a collection of thatched cottages in the village of Cordeville, likely reflecting van Gogh's memories of the North and his desire to return to lucid mental health.
The painting is a beautiful example of van Gogh's unique style and contribution to the Post-Impressionist movement. It is characterized by vibrant colours and bold, expressive brushstrokes, showcasing the artist's emotional state and his interpretation of the subject matter. The painting's composition and use of colour reflect van Gogh's interest in the effects of light and his exploration of complementary colours to create a sense of depth and intensity.
During his time in Auvers-sur-Oise, van Gogh was under the care of Dr. Paul Gachet, an amateur painter who had treated several other artists. Van Gogh's move to Auvers-sur-Oise was arranged by his brother, Theo, who believed that living near the doctor would be beneficial for his mental health. However, despite his time in Auvers-sur-Oise and the production of paintings like "Thatched Cottages at Cordeville", van Gogh's mental health continued to be a concern.
"Thatched Cottages at Cordeville" stands as a testament to van Gogh's artistic genius and his ability to convey emotion and imagination through his unique style. It is a reminder of the artist's struggles and his pursuit of lucidity during his final months in Auvers-sur-Oise. The painting's vibrant beauty invites viewers to reflect on van Gogh's legacy and his impact on the world of art.
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Blossoming Chestnut Branches
In 1890, Van Gogh spent three months in Auvers-sur-Oise, a small village north of Paris. During this time, he produced some of his best-loved works, including "Thatched Cottages at Cordeville". Many of the paintings from this period reflect his desire to return to lucid mental health, though some also express deepening concerns.
One of the paintings from this period is "Blossoming Chestnut Branches", which was painted in 1890 and can be viewed at the Buhrle Collection in Zurich, Switzerland. The painting demonstrates Van Gogh's interest in nature and his unique style, which has captured the imaginations of people all over the world.
Van Gogh's work from this period has posed many questions about his artistic direction. The artist had spent the previous year in an asylum in Saint-Rémy, and his time in Auvers-sur-Oise was intended to be a period of recovery. During his time in Auvers-sur-Oise, Van Gogh produced around 70 oils, many of which were reminiscent of northern scenes.
"Blossoming Chestnut Branches" is a testament to Van Gogh's enduring fascination with nature and his ability to find beauty in the simplest of subjects. The painting captures the delicate beauty of the chestnut tree, with its intricate network of branches and vibrant blossoms. The work is a celebration of spring and the renewal of life, themes that Van Gogh returned to throughout his career.
The painting is a reminder of the artist's extraordinary talent and his ability to convey powerful emotions through his art. "Blossoming Chestnut Branches" invites viewers to contemplate the beauty of nature and the fleeting nature of life, a theme that resonates deeply with audiences of all backgrounds.
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Wheatfield with Crows
The painting is characterized by its powerful colour combinations, with the blue sky contrasting against the yellow-orange wheat and the red path intensified by the green bands of grass. The crows, a symbol of death and resurrection, fly in a seemingly random pattern, adding to the turbulence of the scene. The three paths in the foreground are thought to symbolize Van Gogh's feeling of having nowhere to go, with the dark, stormy sky reinforcing the whole mood of darkness.
Van Gogh himself wrote that the painting expressed his feelings of sadness and extreme loneliness, but he also wanted to convey what he considered healthy and fortifying about the countryside. The luminescent quality of the wheat suggests strong motion, which some believe reflects the artist's state of mind during his final months.
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The Church at Auvers-sur-Oise
The painting depicts the Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, a 13th-century church built in the early Gothic style. Van Gogh's work captures the church's two Romanesque chapels and its square bell tower, constructed in the late 12th century. The painting is characterised by its use of colour, with the church appearing violet-hued against a deep blue sky, and the stained-glass windows appearing as ultramarine blotches. The foreground features green plants in bloom and sand with a pink hue, reflecting the sunlight.
Today, The Church at Auvers-sur-Oise hangs in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, France, where it is recognised as one of Van Gogh's most well-known paintings.
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Frequently asked questions
Van Gogh's most famous painting from his time in Auvers is up for debate. Some of his most notable works from this period include:
- Portrait of Dr. Gachet
- Thatched Cottages at Cordeville
- Wheat Field with Crows
- Blossoming Chestnut Branches
- Adeline Ravoux
Dr. Paul Gachet was a homeopathic doctor and amateur painter who Van Gogh stayed near and received treatment from during his time in Auvers.
'Wheat Field with Crows' is believed to be one of Van Gogh's last paintings before his suicide. Hulsker discusses the painting as being associated with "melancholy and extreme loneliness".
Van Gogh spent three months in Auvers-sur-Oise, a small village north of Paris, before his death in July 1890.
The countryside around Auvers-sur-Oise reminded Van Gogh of his childhood in North Brabant and gave him a sense of security. He was inspired by the natural world, painting colourful gardens, vineyards, and flowering chestnut trees.
