Van Gogh in Paris
It was at the end of February 1886 that Vincent Van Gogh went to live with his brother Theo in Montmartre, the artists' quarter of Paris. The French capital was the centre of the art world in those days, and Montmarte was its vibrant heart of artistic innovation. Enjoy a selection of works Vincent van Gogh created in Paris.
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Vincent van Gogh - Shoes
Vincent van Gogh, Shoes, 1886. Worn-out shoes were an unusual choice of subject for a painting. An acquaintance of Van Gogh's in Paris described how he bought old work shoes at a flea market. Then he walked through the mud in them until they were filthy. Only then did he feel they were interesting enough to paint. Van Gogh made a number of still lifes of this subject.
Bank of the Seine Vincent van Gogh, 1887
Vincent van Gogh, Bank of the Seine, 1887. In this small painting, Van Gogh experimented with the stippling technique of the Pointillists, but he did so in his own way. He used long dashes for the water, small dots for the trees and plants, and larger brushstrokes for the sky. With this technique, he beautifully captured the reflection of the riverbanks in the water.
Piles of French Novels Vincent van Gogh, 1887
Vincent van Gogh, Piles of French Novels, 1887. This still life is an ode to modern French literature. Van Gogh was an avid reader and an admirer of novelists such as the Goncourt brothers and Emile Zola. They offered a realistic, unvarnished perspective on modern life.
Vincent van Gogh - Self-Portrait as a Painter
Vincent van Gogh, Self-Portrait as a Painter, December 1887-February 1888. Van Gogh presented himself in this self-portrait as a painter, holding a palette and paintbrushes behind his easel. He showed that he was a modern artist by using a new painting style, with bright, almost unblended colours. This self-portrait was the last work Van Gogh produced in Paris; the city had exhausted him both mentally and physically.
Boulevard de Clichy Vincent van Gogh, 1887
Vincent van Gogh, Boulevard de Clichy, 1887. This boulevard is one of the major streets in the Paris district of Montmartre, where many artists lived. Van Gogh painted the junction that he often crossed. Rue Lepic, where he lived with his brother Theo, began on the right, just beyond the edge of the picture.
