The artwork, titled “Churches at Petersham and Turnham Green,” was created by Vincent van Gogh in 1876 in the Netherlands. Using ink on paper, van Gogh rendered this piece as part of the Post-Impressionism movement, specifically within the sketch and study genre. The work captures two churches, highlighting van Gogh’s attention to architectural detail and his evolving artistic style during that period.
The artwork depicts two churches, one labeled “Petersham” and the other “Turnham Green,” executed in a monochromatic ink sketch on paper. Both churches are portrayed in a simplistic yet detailed manner. The church at Petersham is illustrated with a steeply pitched roof and tall windows, surrounded by leafy greenery. The Turnham Green church has a more horizontal roofline and features a prominent central tower. The background includes handwritten passages, characteristic of van Gogh’s sketches, adding a personal element to the piece. Through this sketch, van Gogh demonstrates his keen observation skills and his burgeoning interest in capturing the essence of architectural forms within a landscape.
