The artwork “Cluster of Old Houses with the New Church in The Hague” was executed by Vincent van Gogh in 1882 in The Hague, Netherlands. This piece, created using oil on cardboard, belongs to the Realism movement and falls under the cityscape genre. Currently, the artwork is held in a private collection.
The artwork depicts a row of old, weathered houses in the foreground, each showing signs of age and use through their muted, earthy tones and textured surfaces. Dominating the background is a new church, which rises above the humble dwellings with its distinctive steeple and more defined architectural lines. The contrast between the old houses and the relatively new church structure is a notable feature of this composition. The subdued, somber palette of the piece adds to the overall impression of a quiet, somewhat melancholic urban scene, characteristic of Van Gogh’s early Realist style. The juxtaposition of architectural elements and the nuanced handling of light and shadow contribute to the evocative atmosphere of the cityscape.
