Vincent van Gogh, one of the most famous painters in history, lived in Paris from 1886 to 1888. During this period, he created some of his most iconic and revolutionary works. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what Van Gogh painted in Paris and how his style developed during these years.
Van Gogh’s Arrival in Paris
Van Gogh arrived in Paris in March 1886, having left the Netherlands after a series of personal crises. He was eager to immerse himself in the art scene of the city and learn from other artists. He moved into a small apartment on Rue Lepic, which was close to the famous Montmartre district where many artists lived and worked.
The Influence of Impressionism
In Paris, Van Gogh was exposed to many new artistic movements, including Impressionism. This style emphasized the use of light and color to capture fleeting moments and impressions. Van Gogh was particularly drawn to the works of Claude Monet and Georges Seurat, who were among the leaders of this movement.
Van Gogh began experimenting with Impressionist techniques himself, as seen in his painting “The Seine with Pont de la Grande Jatte,” which depicts a bridge over the Seine River using loose brushstrokes and bright colors.
Japanese Art and New Techniques
While living in Paris, Van Gogh also discovered Japanese prints, which had recently become popular among European artists. He was fascinated by their bold lines and unusual compositions.
He began incorporating these elements into his own work, as seen in his painting “Flowering Plum Orchard,” which features a large tree with blossoms depicted using thick black lines.
Van Gogh also experimented with new techniques such as pointillism, which involved creating an image using small dots or points of color rather than traditional brushstrokes. This is evident in his painting “Self-Portrait with Pipe,” which features a dappled background created using this technique.
Van Gogh’s Paris Paintings
During his time in Paris, Van Gogh produced over 200 paintings, including many of his most famous works. Some of these include:
- “Starry Night Over the Rhone” – a nighttime scene of the Rhone River with glowing stars above
- “The Bedroom” – a simple yet powerful depiction of his own bedroom
- “Café Terrace at Night” – a vibrant scene of a café in Arles, France
- “The Potato Eaters” – a dark and somber portrayal of rural life in the Netherlands
The Development of Van Gogh’s Style
Van Gogh’s time in Paris was transformative for his style. He moved away from the dark and somber tones of his earlier work and embraced brighter colors and more expressive brushstrokes.
His use of bold lines and intense colors would become hallmarks of his later work, as seen in paintings such as “Sunflowers” and “The Starry Night.”
Ultimately, Van Gogh’s time in Paris was crucial to the development of his unique artistic vision. He absorbed new techniques and styles while also developing his own distinct voice. His paintings from this period continue to captivate viewers today with their beauty and emotional depth.