Artwork
The Drinkers
The Drinkers is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
Vincent van Gogh created this oil on canvas while confined to the Saint‑Paul asylum near Saint‑Rémy. Rather than devise a new subject, he reproduced a wood engraving by Honoré Daumier titled “Drinkers,” allowing him to concentrate on his characteristic brushwork and color.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows four hunched men seated at a table, each clutching a glass. Their exaggerated, puffy faces and bulbous noses give a cartoonish quality, echoing Daumier’s satirical take on the four ages of man and hinting at the bleak consequences of excessive drinking.
Technique & Style
Van Gogh applied paint in thick, textured strokes, a technique known as impasto, which makes the surface appear rough and three‑dimensional. The palette leans toward greenish tones, a possible reference to the green hue of absinthe, while the overall handling emphasizes mood over fine detail.
History & Provenance
The work belongs to the Winterbotham Collection, one of thirty‑five pieces assembled by the collector. It remains a documented example of Van Gogh’s practice of copying admired prints during his asylum period, a strategy that freed him from compositional planning.
Context
Created during Van Gogh’s stay at the Saint‑Paul asylum, the painting reflects a period when he turned to copying existing images to explore color and brushwork without the pressure of original composition. This approach aligns with his broader interest in interpreting the works of artists he respected, such as Daumier.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Vincent Willem van Gogh was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art.
