Painting Reviews: The Red Vineyard Near Arles (By: Vincent Van Gogh)

 

Oil On Canvas, 1888

By: Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) Dutch Post - Impressionist Painter

@ Puskin Museum Of Fine Arts, Moscow

Description

This painting was the first and only to be sold during the lifetime of Vincent Van Gogh, it was bought by Anne Boch.

This painting is set near Arles, in the south of France, during the end of a working day, during the autumn, when the days are shortened, and the leaves turn red and yellow, it symbolise the death of nature, warmed by the last rays of a sun that will disappear in the horizon.

In a letter written by Vincent to his brother Theo his enthusiasm for the light that illuminates this vineyard with its workers emerges.

The vineyard is in the top half of the painting, with blue and green trees, at the centre men and women, intent on harvesting the bunches of grapes.

In my opinion the best characteristic of this painting is the sun that is reflected in the waters of the river, two elements linked to life.