Earlier this year, I shared insights on some of Claude Monet’s lesser-celebrated works, which turned out to be popular among readers. Inspired by this feedback, I decided to delve into the lesser-known pieces of Vincent van Gogh. Like Monet, van Gogh produced an expansive collection, with more than 800 paintings and over 1,000 drawings. Notable works, such as The Starry Night and Irises, often dominate discussions. However, I discovered numerous remarkable paintings that might not have received the recognition they deserve. After examining his entire collection for a few weeks, I compiled a selection that might surprise you. I focused on his later works, known for their vibrant colors, representing van Gogh at his peak. His earlier creations tend to be more subdued, reflecting his journey toward artistic maturity.
Undergrowth Paintings
The trio of paintings highlighted below exhibit a cohesive subject matter and style, making it difficult to select just one. Van Gogh’s technique beautifully complements these themes, immersing viewers in a world of vibrant hues and intricate details as the trees ebb and flow in and out of focus.
View From Theo’s Apartment, c.1887
This piece captures a simple scene rendered in a sketch-like, illustrative style. Observe van Gogh’s unique approach to the sky, utilizing various dots, dabs, and textures to convey simplicity without overwhelming detail. The compressed values contribute to its balance.
Saint-Paul Hospital Park, 1889
In this artwork, van Gogh explores abstraction and expressionism. Personally, I prefer his works with a more realistic foundation, but I find the energy in this piece quite captivating.
Trees in the Asylum Garden, 1889
This painting evokes similar sentiments to the earlier tree artwork. Its vivid colors remind me of landscapes from New Zealand, showcasing rich, unique hues. Note how his brushstrokes follow the overall contours of the subject.
River Bank in Springtime, 1887
This artwork features more subdued colors, employing muted greens, blues, and yellows. I appreciate how the territories somewhat blend together while still remaining distinct. Observe the use of diagonal lines that enhance the composition.
Field with Poppies, 1889
This painting offers a fascinating aerial view of poppy and crop fields. The absence of a sky creates a crowded, busy feeling, while the small dots of red stand out beautifully against the surrounding greens (these colors are complementary, as they sit opposite each other on the color wheel).
Farming Village at Twilight, 1884
One of van Gogh’s more restrained masterpieces, likely to resonate with Tonalists. The glimpse of warm sunlight filtering through the trees on the left side captivates me.
The Rocks, c.1888
In this piece, observe van Gogh’s rich brushwork and how he applies dark outlines to accentuate the rocks. The subtle color transitions in the sky, with shades of pale orange, green, yellow, and blue, add depth, although the dark blue splotch in the middle of the sky feels a bit awkward.
In the Dunes, 1883
This traditional landscape stands out for its absence of van Gogh’s signature swirling strokes, evoking a vibe reminiscent of John Constable.
Daubigny’s Garden, c.1890
In this artwork, van Gogh masterfully utilized impasto texture, especially with the vibrant flowers in the foreground. The harmonious color scheme of soft greens accented by flashes of cadmium red showcases his skill in distilling a subject to its essence and enhancing its impact.
First Steps, After Millet, 1890
This piece portrays a powerful moment! It resonates with me personally since my youngest is about to take her first steps.
Grapes, Lemons, Pears, and Apples, 1887
In this still life, van Gogh infused a sense of energy and dynamism. The fruit appears to spring to life, almost vibrating off the surface.
(Tip: Even in a seemingly static subject, you can convey movement. Acknowledge that everything around us is in motion to enhance your expressions in art.)
Landscape at Twilight, 1890
What an extraordinary sky! The dashes of light yellow create a stunning contrast against the deep green land.
“There is a sun, a light that for lack of a better term I can only describe as yellow, pale sulphur yellow, pale golden citron. How beautiful yellow is!” — Vincent van Gogh to his brother Theo, August 1888
Olive Trees, 1889
Van Gogh depicted olive trees multiple times, and this piece previously went unnoticed by me. He employed a pointillist style for the sky, interspersing various blues and yellows over a light purple backdrop, creating a sense of dynamism. I admire how van Gogh could transform tranquil, expansive landscapes into vibrant scenes, reflecting the experience rather than the mere appearance of the subject.
Sheaves of Wheat, 1890
This painting presents the classic haystack theme inflected with van Gogh’s distinct brushwork. The color temperature interplay is intriguing, especially in the shadows—observe how the pale blues juxtapose the deep oranges.
Stacks of French Novels, 1887
This painting is one of van Gogh’s subtler works. Notice the color connections between the books and the background, along with the geometric tile-like brushwork across the desk. It shows that almost any subject can serve as inspiration for a great painting; it just requires creativity.
The Unloading in Arles, 1888
This painting is striking, isn’t it? The yellows and oranges shine as if illuminated by sunlight. I also appreciate the green hues in the sky that blend gracefully with the yellows. These subjects captured in low light allow for a relaxed and flowing brushwork approach, especially within the darker regions.
Flower Pot With Chinese Chives, 1887
Meadow With Flowers Under a Stormy Sky, 1888
Look at those intense clouds! Van Gogh focused on capturing the structure and form of the clouds without losing their essence. He managed just the right amount of soft edges, and the ground, in contrast, bursts with a lively array of dots, lines, and flat color fields.
Here are a few additional pieces worth noting:
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Thank you for reading! I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Dan Scott
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