Who painted L'Arlésienne?

L'Arlésienne was painted by Vincent van Gogh in 1890.

Where can I see L'Arlésienne?

L'Arlésienne is held by São Paulo Museum of Art.

What movement is L'Arlésienne?

L'Arlésienne is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of L'Arlésienne?

Museum-quality prints of L'Arlésienne are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

L'Arlésienne

Vincent van Gogh , 1890

L'Arlésienne is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the São Paulo Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Vincent van Gogh’s oil portrait titled *L’Arlésienne* was completed in 1890. The work presents a seated woman against a plain pink backdrop, her chin propped on a hand, dressed in a dark gown with a white collar and a black coif. The composition is rendered on a green bench that bears faint markings, and the painting now belongs to the collection of the São Paulo Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is identified as Marie Ginoux, a woman of dark hair who was a frequent model for van Gogh during his time in Arles. Her calm, introspective pose and modest attire suggest a quiet, personal portrait rather than a narrative scene, offering a glimpse into the everyday life of a provincial French woman of the late nineteenth century.

Technique & Style

Van Gogh employed a pronounced impasto technique, applying the oil paint in thick, textured layers that make the brushstrokes visibly stand out. This tactile approach enhances the solidity of the figure and the bench, while the limited color palette—dominated by muted darks, a stark white collar, and a soft pink wall—creates a restrained yet expressive visual impact.

History & Provenance

Created in the final year of van Gogh’s Arles period, the portrait later entered private collections before being acquired by the São Paulo Museum of Art, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s European painting holdings. Its provenance reflects the broader 20th‑century interest in van Gogh’s work among international collectors.