Inspiration and Source

The painting is based on an 1872 engraving by Gustave Doré, titled "Newgate – exercise yard," from the book "London: A Pilgrimage" by Gustave Doré and Blanchard Jerrold. Van Gogh was inspired by Doré's work and created his own oil on canvas interpretation, adding color and his own visual style to the original black and white engraving.

Context and Creation

Van Gogh painted Prisoners Exercising while he was a patient at the Saint-Paul Asylum in Saint-Rémy, where he was being treated for his mental illness. During this period, he was severely depressed and felt trapped, which is reflected in the painting. The asylum's director, Dr. Peillon, and Van Gogh's brother Theo encouraged him to paint as part of his therapy.

Composition and Symbolism

The painting depicts a group of prisoners walking in a circle within a claustrophobic prison yard, surrounded by high brick walls with small arched windows out of reach. The scene is dominated by depressing tones of blue and green, with splashes of red on the better-lit bricks. Two small white butterflies are visible higher up. One prisoner at the front, without a cap, stands out and has been speculated to resemble Van Gogh, though there is no conclusive evidence for this. The painting symbolizes Van Gogh's feelings of being physically and mentally trapped. The endless circle of prisoners reflects his own sense of being caught in a perpetual cycle of mental illness.

Significance and Legacy

Prisoners Exercising is considered one of Van Gogh's best works from his period at the asylum. It was displayed around his coffin before his funeral and later passed through several owners before becoming part of the collection at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, where it is currently held. The painting also inspired a scene in Stanley Kubrick's 1971 film "A Clockwork Orange."

Technical Details

- **Medium**: Oil on canvas - **Dimensions**: 80 cm × 64 cm (31 in × 25 in) - **Location**: Pushkin Museum, Moscow.