One of Van Gogh’s most iconic paintings is his painting of his beloved Yellow House in Arles, France.
Vincent Van Gogh painted the Yellow House, also known as The Street, in May 1888. He also painted several versions of his bedroom in this Yellow house. Today, all these paintings help give us a glimpse into Van Gogh’s life when he lived in Arles, France.
Table of Contents
- Exploring Van Gogh’s Yellow House: 12 Key Insights
- The Yellow House Is An Actual Yellow House
- The Yellow House Is No Longer Standing
- Van Gogh Rented Four Rooms In The House
- Van Gogh Wanted To Set Up An Artist’s House
- The Yellow House Painting Is Called “The Street”
- The Restaurant Van Gogh Ate At Is In The Painting
- There Are Other Streets Shown In The Street Painting
- Van Gogh’s Famous Bedroom Paintings Came From The Yellow House
- Van Gogh Painted The Bedroom In The Yellow House Three Times
- Bedroom Paintings Are Now Shown In Three Museum Around The World
- Three Bedroom Paintings Similar But With Slight Differences
- Van Gogh’s Yellow House Bedrooms Give Us A Glimpse Into His Life
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Questions
Exploring Van Gogh’s Yellow House: 12 Key Insights
Among Vincent Van Gogh’s acclaimed works, the depiction of his cherished Yellow House in Arles, France, stands out for its vibrant portrayal and emotional significance. Van Gogh painted ‘The Yellow House’ (also known as ‘The Street’) in May 1888, capturing a structure and a period of his life filled with artistic fervor.
He created several renditions of his bedroom in this house, each version offering a deeper look into his time spent in Arles. These paintings are more than just artworks; they serve as windows into Van Gogh’s personal world and experiences during a pivotal time in his artistic journey.
Here are our top 12 things to understand about Van Gogh’s Yellow House
The Yellow House Is An Actual Yellow House
The Vincent Van Gogh Yellow House was a small house standing at 2 Place Lamartine in Arles, France. The house was a bright yellow French-looking house with green shutters.
The house style would have been very French, especially for this part of France, with the bright yellow color and green shutters on each window.
The Yellow House Is No Longer Standing
If you go to Arles, France, you will be disappointed to learn that the original yellow house where Van Gogh lived is no longer standing. The Allied forces severely damaged the house in a bombing raid during World War II on June 24, 1944.
This yellow house was so severely damaged during this raid that it was later demolished.
Van Gogh Rented Four Rooms In The House
In the Yellow House, Vincent Van Gogh rented four rooms. He occupied the larger ones on the ground floor; one room was a workshop and kitchen.
The window on the first floor nearest the corner with both shutters opening in the painting is that for Van Gogh’s guest room where his fellow painter Paul Gauguin lived for nine weeks in 1888.
The next room on the first floor, where the shutter was nearly closed, was Van Gogh’s bedroom.
There were two smaller rooms at the back of the house that Van Gogh rented at a later time.
Van Gogh Wanted To Set Up An Artist’s House
Van Gogh had plans to turn his Yellow House into an artist’s house. He wanted like-minded artists to live with him so they could live and work together.
Paul Gauguin was to be the first of the artists to come, but Gauguin did not stay long, and their relationship and living together had many problems and disagreements.
The Yellow House Painting Is Called “The Street”
Van Gogh’s Yellow House painting is called “The Street.” The Street painting was painted in 1888.
Initially he was going to call the painting “The House And Its Environment,” but later changed the name to “The Street.”
The Restaurant Van Gogh Ate At Is In The Painting
The restaurant where Van Gogh would go to have many of his meals was the Pink House on the street or at 28 Place Lamartine.
The restaurant was run by a widow known as Venissac; she was also Van Gogh’s landlady, who owned several buildings in Arles.
There Are Other Streets Shown In The Street Painting
In Vincent Van Gogh’s The Street painting, other streets are also shown. To the right of the Yellow House is the Avenue Montomajour, which runs down to the two railway bridges.
The first railway line where Van Gogh shows a train passing the area (you can see the train smoke in the painting) served the local train connection to Lunel, a town on the opposite side of the river Rhône.
The other train line was owned by P-L-M Railway or the Paris Lyon Mediterranee Railway line.
Also shown in the painting is a pedestrian walk surrounded by one of the public gardens on Larmartine Place.
A ditch ran up Avenue Montmajour from the left side towards the bridge, which served as a gas pipe. The gas pipes would allow Van Gogh to install some gaslights at his workshop on the first floor.
Van Gogh’s Famous Bedroom Paintings Came From The Yellow House
Van Gogh’s famous bedroom paintings were all from his bedroom in the Yellow House. He was known to prepare and decorate the room himself.
He prepared the bedroom with simple furniture and put some of his paintings on the wall. The bright colors on the wall and in the room portray “repose” or “sleep.”
Van Gogh Painted The Bedroom In The Yellow House Three Times
Soon after he moved into the Yellow House, Van Gogh painted his first bedroom. He was so enthralled with the painting that when water damage threatened to damage the painting, he decided to paint another painting from memory while at the asylum in Saint-Remy in 1889.
Van Gogh also painted a smaller version of the bedroom.
Bedroom Paintings Are Now Shown In Three Museum Around The World
Van Gogh’s three-bedroom paintings can now be seen in three different museums worldwide. Two are in Europe, and one is in the United States.
Here is where you can see each of the bedroom paintings of Van Gogh’s Yellow Bedroom:
- The Bedroom, 1888 By Vincent Van Gogh – The painting can be seen at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Holland. This painting has never been out of the procession of the Van Gogh family; this painting was donated to the museum by the family.
- The Bedroom, 1889 By Vincent Van Gogh – The painting can be seen at The Art Institute Of Chicago. Chicago USA.
- The Bedroom, 1889 By Vincent Van Gogh – The painting can be seen at the Musee d’Orsay in Paris, France. This painting was sold to France under the Treaty of Peace with Japan in 1959.
Three Bedroom Paintings Similar But With Slight Differences
Looking at the three-bedroom paintings from Van Gogh’s Yellow House at first glance, they may all seem the same, but upon closer inspection, you can see that each one is slightly different.
The first painting that was painted in 1888, we believe, is the painting that depicts the way the bedroom was at that time. When Van Gogh painted this, he lived in the Yellow House.
You can see from these paintings how detailed he was, from the clothes hanging on the hook to the paintings on the wall. The windows show a green tint from the light coming through the green shutters.
Research has shown us that over the years, some of the colors of the painting have changed. It is believed the actual color of the walls was purple rather than blue.
Also, the room’s perspective is a deliberate choice by Van Gogh. In a letter, he told his brother Theo that he had deliberately flattened the interior to give it a Japanese woodblock print look and feel.
Van Gogh’s Yellow House Bedrooms Give Us A Glimpse Into His Life
The bedrooms Van Gogh painted of his bedroom at Yellow House give a glimpse into life there. We can also see a bit about life in late 19th-century France.
Everything from the colors on the walls and the bed to the furniture helps to give a glimpse of what the interior of Van Gogh’s Yellow House was like.
The Yellow House and Van Gogh’s Bedroom paintings remain iconic works of art. These beautiful paintings give a glimpse into the life of not just Vincent Van Gogh but also lived in that part of France in the late 19th Century.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Van Gogh’s Yellow House?
Van Gogh’s Yellow House refers to the residence in Arles, France, where the renowned artist Vincent Van Gogh lived and created some of his most famous works, including the painting known as The Street.
When did Van Gogh paint The Yellow House?
Vincent Van Gogh painted The Yellow House, also known as The Street, in May 1888. This period marked a significant and prolific phase in the artist’s career.
Why is it called the Yellow House?
The Yellow House gets its name from the distinctive yellow color that Van Gogh used to paint the exterior of the building. The bright and bold choice of color reflects Van Gogh’s expressive and vibrant artistic style.
What other paintings did Van Gogh create in the Yellow House?
Apart from The Street, Van Gogh painted multiple versions of his bedroom in the Yellow House. These bedroom paintings provide a unique insight into the artist’s personal space and state of mind.
Why did Van Gogh choose to live in Arles?
Van Gogh moved to Arles to experience the vibrant colors and unique light of the Provence region, hoping to establish an artist’s colony. The Yellow House served as both his residence and studio during this period.
What is the significance of The Street painting?
The Street is considered one of Van Gogh’s masterpieces, showcasing his ability to capture the essence of everyday life. It features the view from his window, depicting houses, people, and the bustling street in a unique and captivating way.
Did Van Gogh face any challenges while living in the Yellow House?
Van Gogh’s time in the Yellow House was marked by personal and emotional challenges. His friendship with Paul Gauguin, who briefly lived with him, ended in a dramatic confrontation that led to the famous ear-cutting incident.
Are there multiple versions of The Street painting?
While there is one prominent version of The Street, Van Gogh also created different studies and sketches related to the same scene. These variations provide insight into his artistic process and exploration of the subject.
What happened to the Yellow House after Van Gogh left?
The Yellow House was damaged during World War II and eventually demolished in the 20th century. However, Van Gogh’s depictions of the house and the surrounding area continue to preserve its memory.
How has Van Gogh’s Yellow House influenced art and culture?
Van Gogh’s Yellow House, along with its associated paintings, remains an enduring symbol of the artist’s unique vision and contribution to art. It has inspired countless artists and continues to be a subject of study and fascination in the art world.
Related Questions
How Much Is Van Gogh’s Starry Night Worth, And Other Facts
Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night painting is considered priceless; many have estimated that the artwork is worth over 100 million US dollars. The Museum of Modern Art in New York City has had the painting in its collection since 1941.
You can discover more by reading How Much Is Van Gogh’s Starry Night Worth, And Other Facts by clicking here.
What Are The Similarities Between Claude Monet And Vincent Van Gogh?
Claude Debussy is a musical composer. Claude Monet is an artist. They are both considered Impressionists and were not afraid to break from the tradition of their day to create something new. Both Debussy and Monet greatly influenced many artists that went after them.
By clicking here, you can learn more by reading What Are The Similarities Between Claude Monet And Vincent Van Gogh?.
Why Is Van Gogh Considered Such A Great Artist?
Many things make Vincent Van Gogh unique and great as an artist. He had a great way of using color in his heart, but more than that, he was an artist who set and paved the way, and his brushstroke technique used color and his design ability. What is interesting is that he did this as a self-taught artist.
By clicking here, you can discover more by reading Why Is Van Gogh Considered Such a Great Artist?
