Avenue at Arles with Houses

painted in 1888, is one of the works created by Vincent van Gogh during his highly productive period in Arles, France.

Location and Period

Van Gogh moved to Arles in February 1888, seeking the bright sunlight and vibrant colors of the Provençal landscape. This painting is from the same period when he was experimenting with bold colors and new techniques.

Description

The painting depicts a street scene in Arles, showing houses and trees along an avenue. The work is characterized by Van Gogh's typical use of bold, expressive brushstrokes and vivid colors. The scene captures the everyday life and architecture of Arles, reflecting Van Gogh's interest in the ordinary and the beauty of the mundane.

Style and Technique

Like many of his works from this period, Avenue at Arles with Houses features the use of complementary colors to enhance luminosity. This technique, influenced by the Impressionists and scientific studies on color, was a hallmark of Van Gogh's style during his time in Arles.

Context

This painting is part of the extensive body of work Van Gogh produced in Arles, which includes series of wheat fields, sowers, orchards in bloom, and portraits of local people such as the postman Joseph Roulin and his family. The period in Arles marked a significant phase in Van Gogh's artistic development, characterized by bold experimentation and innovation.

Exhibitions and Provenance

While specific details about the current location and exhibitions of Avenue at Arles with Houses are not provided in the sources, Van Gogh's works from this period have been widely exhibited in various museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.