Square Saint-Pierre, Paris (1887)
Garden with Courting Couples is one of van Gogh's largest canvases from his Paris period, created in May 1887. This piece illustrates couples in a lush, vibrant setting through innovative brushstrokes that evoke intimacy. In contrast, Square Saint-Pierre at Sunset,also created the same month, captures the serene ambiance of the park as day transitions to night with a striking yellow sky. Both artworks exemplify van Gogh's evolving style and reflect his fascination with urban nature.
Year 1887
About the Artwork
Vincent van Gogh painted Garden with Courting Couples and Square Saint-Pierre at Sunset during a vibrant yet tumultuous time in his life while living in Paris in 1887. Immersed in a bustling art scene and influenced by the Pointillists, van Gogh sought to capture the essence of everyday life and the beauty of nature. Garden with Courting Couples draws viewers into a joyful scene of couples enjoying the embrace of spring. His innovative brushwork, characterized by small strokes, cultivated a sense of connection among the figures and their environment. Meanwhile, Square Saint-Pierre at Sunset evokes a more tranquil mood, as the remnants of daylight subtly fade to allow a peaceful nightfall. Each piece serves not only as a reflection of van Gogh's distinctive approach but also as a celebration of the simple pleasures found in communal spaces.
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Garden with Courting Couples: Square Saint-Pierre
Created in May 1887, this painting is one of the largest canvases Van Gogh produced in Paris. It is an oil on canvas work, measuring 75.0 cm x 113.0 cm. Van Gogh used a technique inspired by the Pointillists but applied small brushstrokes of varying length and direction to create a radiant spring day effect. This technique helped him express the intimacy and togetherness of the couples in the park. The painting is currently on view at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
Square Saint-Pierre at Sunset
Also created in May 1887, this painting depicts the same park but at sunset. It is an oil on canvas on cardboard, measuring 33 cm x 42 cm. The painting features a yellow sky and a blue foreground, which was Van Gogh's way of suggesting the fall of night. The trees in the park are still young, and the Sacré Coeur Basilica, then under construction, is in the background. This painting is also part of the Van Gogh Museum collection in Amsterdam.
Square Saint-Pierre, Paris (Yale University Art Gallery)
There is another painting titled "Square Saint-Pierre, Paris," which is housed at the Yale University Art Gallery. Created in 1887, it is an oil on canvas work, measuring 59.4 cm x 81.3 cm. This painting was gifted to the Yale University Art Gallery by Henry R. Luce in 1958.
Each of these paintings captures a different aspect of Square Saint-Pierre, now known as Square Louise-Michel, and reflects Van Gogh's unique style and technique during his time in Paris.