Artwork

The Hill of Montmartre

The Hill of Montmartre, by Vincent van Gogh, oil
The Hill of Montmartre, by Vincent van Gogh, oil

The Hill of Montmartre is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh. It is held in the collection of the Kröller-Müller Museum.

About this work

Overview

Vincent van Gogh’s 1894 oil painting titled The Hill of Montmartre presents a tranquil rural landscape. The composition centers on a gently rising hill dotted with modest dwellings, a windmill to the left and a church steeple to the right, framed by a low fence along the foreground. The work is part of the collection of the Kröller‑Müller Museum in the Netherlands.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures a quiet moment in the Montmartre district, emphasizing the harmony between human habitation and the surrounding countryside. A few figures stand behind the fence, suggesting everyday activity without disrupting the overall serenity. The juxtaposition of the windmill and the church steeple underscores the coexistence of work and worship in the landscape.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, van Gogh employs a restrained palette of earthy greens, browns, and muted blues. Broad, confident brushstrokes render the foliage and sky, while finer detail defines the architectural elements. The limited color range and calm composition contrast with the artist’s more turbulent later works, highlighting a period of measured observation.

History & Provenance

Created in 1894 during van Gogh’s later years, The Hill of Montmartre entered the public domain through acquisition by the Kröller‑Müller Museum, a major repository of his oeuvre. The museum’s collection, assembled in the early twentieth century, has preserved the painting in stable conditions, allowing continued scholarly access and public display.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Vincent van Gogh

Artist

Vincent van Gogh

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Kröller-Müller Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.