Houses at Auvers

Painted in May or June 1890, shortly after Vincent van Gogh arrived in Auvers-sur-Oise, this vibrant work captures the rustic charm of the French countryside during the artist’s final months of life. Van Gogh was immediately captivated by the village’s architecture, writing to his brother Theo that the "old thatched roofs" were "superb" and "becoming rare." In Houses at Auvers, Van Gogh transforms a simple view of farmhouses into a mesmerizing, flattened tapestry of shape and color. The brushwork is energetic and distinctive, using a mosaic-like application of paint that creates a rhythmic, almost woven texture. The cool blues and greens of the sky and foliage contrast beautifully with the warm, earthy tones of the thatched and tiled roofs. This piece represents a critical moment in Van Gogh’s career where his style became increasingly expressive, turning a quiet village scene into a dynamic celebration of rural life.