Vincent van Gogh
Paris, Spring 1887
Oil paint on artist’s board
This self-portrait, along with the others from spring 1887, reveals the radical evolution of Vincent van Gogh’s style during his first year in Paris. It shows Van Gogh’s growing confidence in his use of colour, prompted by the artist’s deep interest in Impressionist and neo-impressionist art, represented by painters such as Claude Monet and Georges Seurat.
This painting marks a notable brightening of Van Gogh’s palette, away from the darker tones he had favoured. The work was cleaned in advance of this exhibition, removing the yellowed varnish that obscured its vibrant colours.