1. The Starry Night (1889)

• Beyond the Basics: This iconic painting, created while Van Gogh was confined to the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, is a testament to his enduring fascination with the night sky. The swirling, vibrant brushstrokes capture the dynamic movement of the stars and clouds, while the cypress tree, a recurring motif in his work, symbolizes both life and death. The village below, with its tiny lights, represents the human world, dwarfed by the cosmic grandeur above.
• Intriguing Details: Art historians have debated the accuracy of the depicted village. While inspired by the view from his window, Van Gogh incorporated elements from other scenes, suggesting a blend of observation and imagination. The painting’s intense colors and expressive style reflect his emotional turmoil and his ongoing search for inner peace.

2. Sunflowers (1888)

• Beyond the Basics: This series of still-life paintings, created during his time in Arles, is a celebration of friendship and artistic collaboration. Van Gogh painted these vibrant sunflowers to decorate his home in anticipation of a visit from his friend and fellow artist, Paul Gauguin. The bold yellows and textured brushwork convey a sense of radiant energy and symbolize the warmth of their friendship.
• Intriguing Details: The series comprises several versions, each with subtle variations in color and composition. These paintings became a symbol of Van Gogh’s artistic vision and have since become one of his most recognizable and beloved works.

3. The Potato Eaters (1885)

• Beyond the Basics: This early masterpiece, painted in somber tones, reflects Van Gogh’s deep empathy for the working class. It depicts a group of impoverished peasants sharing a simple meal of potatoes, capturing their physicality and the hardships of their lives. Van Gogh aimed to portray the dignity and resilience of these individuals, highlighting their connection to the land and their simple, honest existence.
• Intriguing Details: The painting’s subdued palette and focus on the figures’ roughened hands and weathered faces emphasize the physicality of their labor. This work marked a turning point in Van Gogh’s artistic development, as he began to move away from the academic style and embrace a more personal and expressive approach.

4. Bedroom in Arles (1888)

• Beyond the Basics: This iconic depiction of Van Gogh’s modest bedroom in Arles showcases his vibrant use of color and his interest in creating a harmonious and inspiring living space. The bold blues and yellows, inspired by Japanese woodblock prints, create a sense of intimacy and tranquility. The painting also reflects his desire to create a “studio of the South,” a haven for artists in Arles.
• Intriguing Details: Van Gogh intended this painting to be a place of rest and rejuvenation for both himself and his visitors. He deliberately “flattened” the perspective, minimizing shadows and creating a sense of two-dimensionality, further emphasizing the influence of Japanese art.

5. Wheatfield with Crows (1890)

• Beyond the Basics: Often considered one of his final paintings, “Wheatfield with Crows” is a haunting and dramatic work. The dark, stormy sky, coupled with the swirling wheat field and ominous crows, evokes a sense of anxiety and despair. This painting is often interpreted as a reflection of Van Gogh’s troubled mental state during this period.
• Intriguing Details: The swirling lines and dramatic brushwork convey a sense of movement and turbulence, mirroring the artist’s inner turmoil. The path leading through the wheatfield adds a sense of uncertainty and foreboding, further emphasizing the painting’s melancholic tone.

6. Irises (1889)

• Beyond the Basics: Created during his stay at the Saint-Rémy asylum, “Irises” showcases Van Gogh’s masterful use of color. The vibrant blues, purples, and greens of the irises create a dynamic and captivating composition. This painting demonstrates his ability to find beauty and solace in nature, even during times of personal struggle.
• Intriguing Details: The thick, impasto brushwork adds a tactile quality to the painting, while the vibrant colors convey a sense of energy and vitality. The irises, with their bold forms and contrasting colors, become the central focus of the composition, capturing the viewer’s attention.

7. Café Terrace at Night (1888)

• Beyond the Basics: This painting depicts a café in Arles at night, illuminated by gas lamps. The warm glow of the lights contrasts with the cool blue of the night sky, creating a sense of both intimacy and vibrancy. Van Gogh was fascinated by the way light transformed the appearance of everyday scenes, and this painting beautifully captures the unique atmosphere of a nighttime café.
• Intriguing Details: The perspective is slightly distorted, creating a sense of movement and dynamism. The figures in the café are rendered with expressive brushwork, adding to the liveliness of the scene. This work exemplifies Van Gogh’s ability to capture the mood and atmosphere of a particular place.

8. Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear (1889)

• Beyond the Basics: This poignant self-portrait was created shortly after Van Gogh cut off his own earlobe following a mental breakdown. The bandaged ear, combined with the artist’s intense gaze, reveals a sense of vulnerability and emotional turmoil. This work provides a glimpse into the artist’s inner struggles and his enduring spirit.
• Intriguing Details: The bold colors and expressive brushwork convey the artist’s emotional intensity. The stark contrast between the pale face and the vibrant background further emphasizes the drama of the scene. This painting is a powerful testament to the artist’s courage and his ability to confront his inner demons.

9. L’Arlésienne (1888)

• Beyond the Basics: This portrait of Madame Ginoux, the wife of the café owner in Arles, is a powerful and expressive work. The bold colors and expressive brushwork capture the sitter’s personality and evoke a sense of mystery and intrigue. Van Gogh aimed to capture not just her physical likeness, but also her inner strength and resilience.
• Intriguing Details: The use of strong contrasts between light and shadow creates a dramatic and theatrical effect. The vibrant colors and expressive brushwork give the portrait a sense of movement and energy, as if the sitter is about to come to life.

10. The Church at Auvers (1890)

• Beyond the Basics: Painted during his final weeks in Auvers-sur-Oise, “The Church at Auvers” depicts the local church in a dramatic and expressive style. The vibrant colors and swirling brushstrokes give the scene a sense of movement and energy. This work reflects Van Gogh’s ongoing fascination with religious themes and his desire to capture the essence of the natural world.
• Intriguing Details: The church, with its towering spire and imposing presence, dominates the composition. The swirling lines and vibrant colors create a sense of movement and energy, as if the church itself is alive and breathing. This work is a testament to Van Gogh’s ability to find beauty and inspiration in even the most ordinary subjects.

11. Olive Trees (1889)

• Beyond the Basics: This series of paintings depicts olive trees in the landscape around Saint-Rémy. The thick, textured brushwork and vibrant colors create a sense of movement and energy, capturing the undulating forms of the trees and the surrounding hills. “Olive Trees” reflects Van Gogh’s deep connection to nature and his ability to find beauty in the everyday.
• Intriguing Details: The bold colors and expressive brushwork convey a sense of energy and vitality. The rhythmic patterns of the olive trees create a sense of movement and dynamism, as if the trees are swaying in the breeze. This series demonstrates Van Gogh’s ability to capture the essence of the natural world through his unique and expressive style.

12. Cypresses (1889)

• Beyond the Basics: These paintings depict cypress trees, which Van Gogh saw as symbols of both life and death. The tall, slender trees are rendered with dramatic brushwork, creating a sense of movement and energy. The dark silhouettes of the cypresses against the vibrant sky evoke a sense of both beauty and mystery.
• Intriguing Details: The cypress trees are rendered with bold, expressive strokes, creating a sense of movement and dynamism. The contrasting colors of the trees and the sky create a dramatic and powerful effect. This series demonstrates Van Gogh’s ability to capture the essence of nature through his unique and expressive style.

13. Portrait of Dr. Gachet (1890)

• Beyond the Basics: This portrait of Van Gogh’s physician, Dr. Gachet, is a poignant and expressive work. The sitter is depicted with a melancholic expression, reflecting his own struggles with mental health. This painting is a testament to the deep bond between the artist and his doctor, who provided him with both medical and emotional support.
• Intriguing Details: The subdued colors and melancholic expression of the sitter create a sense of introspection and melancholy. The painting is a powerful reflection of both the artist’s own struggles with mental health and the challenges faced by those who suffer from mental illness.

14. Still Life: Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers (1888)

• Beyond the Basics: This is one of the most famous paintings in the “Sunflowers” series. The vibrant yellows and textured brushwork create a sense of energy and movement, bringing the flowers to life on the canvas. This work is a testament to Van Gogh’s mastery of color and his ability to infuse ordinary objects with emotional depth.
• Intriguing Details: The thick impasto technique creates a sense of three-dimensionality, making the sunflowers appear almost tactile. The vibrant yellows are juxtaposed with cooler greens and blues, creating a dynamic and visually striking composition. This painting is a celebration of the beauty and vitality of nature.

15. The Sower (1888)

• Beyond the Basics: This painting depicts a sower working in a field, inspired by Millet’s famous painting of the same subject. Van Gogh’s version is more expressive and vibrant, with bold colors and dynamic brushwork. This work reflects the artist’s interest in portraying the lives of ordinary people and his appreciation for the beauty of nature.
• Intriguing Details: The sower is rendered with bold, expressive strokes, capturing the rhythm and energy of his movements. The vibrant colors of the field and the sky create a sense of optimism and hope. This painting is a celebration of human labor and the cyclical nature of life.

16. View of Arles with Irises (1888)

• Beyond the Basics: This painting depicts a view of the town of Arles, with a vibrant field of irises in the foreground. The bold colors and expressive brushwork create a sense of movement and energy, capturing the beauty of the Provençal landscape. This work demonstrates Van Gogh’s ability to combine his interest in nature with his observations of everyday life.
• Intriguing Details: The vibrant colors of the irises contrast beautifully with the cooler tones of the town and the sky. The perspective is slightly distorted, creating a sense of movement and dynamism. This painting is a testament to Van Gogh’s ability to capture the essence of a place through his unique and expressive style.

17. The Red Vineyard (1888)

• Beyond the Basics: This painting depicts a vineyard in Arles, with the leaves of the vines turning red in the autumn sun. The vibrant colors and expressive brushwork create a sense of energy and movement, capturing the beauty of the harvest season. This work is a testament to Van Gogh’s ability to capture the fleeting beauty of the natural world.
• Intriguing Details: The vibrant reds, yellows, and greens create a sense of autumnal splendor. The thick, impasto brushwork adds a sense of texture and depth to the painting. This work is a celebration of the beauty of the harvest season and the cyclical nature of life.

18. Self-Portrait with Straw Hat (1887-88)

• Beyond the Basics: This self-portrait, painted during Van Gogh’s time in Paris, showcases the influence of Impressionism on his style. The vibrant colors and loose brushwork create a sense of movement and energy, capturing the artist’s youthful spirit. This work demonstrates Van Gogh’s willingness to experiment with new styles and techniques.
• Intriguing Details: The vibrant colors and loose brushwork create a sense of immediacy and spontaneity. The straw hat casts a shadow over the artist’s face, adding a sense of mystery and intrigue. This painting is a testament to Van Gogh’s restless spirit and his ongoing exploration of new artistic possibilities.

19. The Bridge at Arles (1888)

• Beyond the Basics: This painting depicts a bridge over the Rhône River in Arles. The vibrant colors and expressive brushwork create a sense of movement and energy, capturing the beauty of the river and the surrounding landscape. This work reflects Van Gogh’s fascination with the interplay of light and shadow and his ability to capture the atmosphere of a place.
• Intriguing Details: The vibrant colors and expressive brushwork create a sense of movement and dynamism. The reflection of the bridge and the surrounding buildings in the water adds a sense of depth and complexity to the composition. This painting is a testament to Van Gogh’s ability to capture the beauty of the everyday world through his unique and expressive style.

20. Still Life: Pears and Grapes (1887)

• Beyond the Basics: This still-life painting, created during Van Gogh’s time in Paris, demonstrates his mastery of color and composition. The vibrant colors and textured surfaces bring the fruit to life, creating a sense of energy and movement. This work reflects Van Gogh’s ongoing exploration of still-life painting and his ability to find beauty in the everyday.
• Intriguing Details: The vibrant colors and textured surfaces create a sense of three-dimensionality, making the fruit appear almost tactile. The careful arrangement of the fruit creates a sense of balance and harmony. This painting is a testament to Van Gogh’s ability to transform ordinary objects into works of art.