Vincent van Gogh died in July, 1890 at age thirty-seven. During his last few months van Gogh painted dozens upon dozens of landscapes. In July he wrote to his brother Theo that had immersed himself in "the immense plain against the hills, boundless as the sea, delicate yellow." The young green wheat fields of May enthralled him, "vast fields of wheat under turbulent skies." He averred that his "canvases will tell you what I cannot say in words, that is, how healthy and invigorating I find the countryside." At the time he painted Women Crossing a Field, van Gogh had temporarily stilled the turbulence within him. There is a gentleness in his brush work, his chosen colors are harmonious, the scene is tranquil.
Image: Vincent van Gogh - Women Crossing a Field, 1890, oil on canvas, McNay Art Museum, San Antonio.
4 comments:
I suppose it depended on van Gogh's mental stability or instability in Auvers-sur-Oise. How could he survive terrible mental pain and imminent suicide, alongside other periods of energy and productive painting? I suppose Dr Gachet was right about painting being therapeutic.
Two Women Crossing A Field was not my favourite van Gogh, but it is nonetheless a lucky survivor.
The sweetness of this painting makes his death even more dramatic. Dear Vincent, who left us so many colors eternally alive!
Hels, nevertheless, I admire the tranquility of this painting
Tania, yes. Right now we all need something uplifting. Two friends walking together is so reassuring.
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