The artwork titled “Girl with Ruffled Hair (The Mudlark)” was created by Vincent van Gogh in 1888 in Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône, France. This oil on canvas painting belongs to the Post-Impressionism art movement and falls under the genre of portraiture. The piece is currently housed in the Musée des Beaux-Arts de La Chaux-de-Fonds in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.
“Girl with Ruffled Hair (The Mudlark)” portrays a young female figure with wild, unruly hair that stands out vividly against a dark blue background. Van Gogh’s characteristic bold and expressive brushwork is evident in the textured rendering of the hair and facial features. The girl’s attire is notable for its simple yet striking color contrast, with a blue jacket highlighted by reddish-brown and white accents. The subject’s gaze is direct, and her slightly smiling expression imbues the piece with a sense of vitality and presence. The robust use of color and dynamic brushstrokes reflects van Gogh’s significant contribution to the Post-Impressionist movement, emphasizing emotion and individual expression over realistic depiction.
