Vincent van Gogh, the renowned Dutch painter, moved to Paris in 1886 to be a part of the bustling art scene. He lived in several different locations during his time in the city, but where exactly did he live? The answer is on Rue Lepic.
Rue Lepic
Rue Lepic is a street located in the Montmartre district of Paris. It is known for its steep incline and picturesque buildings, which made it a popular subject for many artists during the late 19th century. Van Gogh lived at two different addresses on Rue Lepic during his time in Paris.
First Address – 54 Rue Lepic
Van Gogh’s first address on Rue Lepic was at number 54. He moved there with his brother Theo in 1886 to be closer to other artists such as Émile Bernard and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The apartment was located on the third floor of the building and had a view of the street below.
During his time at this address, Van Gogh painted several scenes from Rue Lepic and its surroundings. One of his most famous works from this period is “The Moulin de la Galette,” which depicts a popular dance hall located nearby.
Second Address – 30 Rue Lepic
In 1887, Van Gogh moved to another apartment on Rue Lepic, this time at number 30. The building was located just a few doors down from his previous address and was also on the third floor. This apartment was smaller than his previous one but had a balcony that overlooked Montmartre.
It was during his time at this address that Van Gogh began experimenting with pointillism, a painting technique that uses small dots of color to create an image. Some of his most famous works from this period include “The Seine with the Pont de la Grande Jatte” and “Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat.”
Conclusion
Rue Lepic was a significant location for Van Gogh during his time in Paris. He lived at two different addresses on the street and painted many scenes from its surroundings. Today, Rue Lepic remains a popular tourist destination, and visitors can still see some of the buildings that Van Gogh would have seen during his time in Paris.