Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

"Avenue at Arles with Houses" is a captivating piece that exemplifies Vincent van Gogh's unique ability to infuse a sense of vitality and emotion into seemingly mundane rural scenes. The painting depicts an avenue lined with trees, leading the viewer’s eye down a narrowing path that suggests depth and perspective. The road, flanked by yellow-hued houses, appears to vibrate with energy, expressed through Van Gogh's characteristic bold, swirling brushstrokes.

The avenue is adorned with lush green foliage, contrasting sharply with the rich, golden tones of the fields and the deep blue of the sky. The trees are depicted with an almost anthropomorphic quality, their gnarled, twisting forms evoking a sense of movement and life. Van Gogh uses color expressionistically, with the yellow of the houses and the green of the trees rendered in intense hues that contribute to the overall emotional impact of the scene.

The composition and use of exaggerated perspective draw the viewer into the painting, making them feel as though they are walking down the avenue themselves. Van Gogh captures the essence of the Southern French landscape with his distinctive brushwork – thick, impasto layers of paint that create a textured surface.

1. Museum and Original Painting: The painting "Avenue at Arles with Houses" is housed in the Kröller-Müller Museum, located in Otterlo, Netherlands. The museum holds one of the largest collections of Van Gogh's works, offering a comprehensive view of his artistic progression.

2. Artist - Vincent van Gogh: Born on March 30, 1853, in the Netherlands, Vincent van Gogh is one of the most revered figures in Western art despite his relatively short career. His time in Arles, a town in the Provence region of southern France, was particularly productive, resulting in some of his most famous works.

3. Artistic Movements and Career Fit: This painting fits within the Post-Impressionism movement, characterized by vivid colors, thick application of paint, and real-life subject matter. Van Gogh's approach also included a deep emotional and psychological depth, which can be clearly felt in this painting. During his Arles period (1888-1889), Van Gogh produced many notable works that displayed his evolving style, one that increasingly veered towards expressive, bold brushstrokes and a vivid color palette.

1. Color Symbolism: The intense, contrasting colors used by Van Gogh in "Avenue at Arles with Houses" are not strictly naturalistic. Instead, they reflect Van Gogh’s emotional response to the landscape. The vibrant yellows and greens might suggest a sense of warmth and energy, while the deep blue of the sky implies a calm, expansive atmosphere.

2. Personal Reflection: This painting, like many created by Van Gogh in Arles, shows his desire to capture the rustic beauty and tranquility of the region. Despite his personal struggles during this period, his art expressed a profound engagement with nature and a longing for peace.

3. Technique and Style: The thick application of paint (impasto) creates physical depth and texture, drawing viewers into the tactile experience of the painting. The swirling, almost turbulent lines of the trees and the exaggerated perspective lines of the avenue contribute to a sense of dynamic movement, making the countryside feel alive and animated.

"Avenue at Arles with Houses" is a testament to Vincent van Gogh's unique ability to transform ordinary scenes into extraordinary, emotive works of art, leaving an indelible mark on the history of Western painting.