The artwork, created by Vincent van Gogh in 1890 while he was in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, is titled “Prisoners Exercising (Prisoners Round).” This piece, rendered in oil on canvas and measuring 80 x 64 cm, belongs to the Post-Impressionism movement and is categorized under the genre of genre painting. Presently, the artwork is housed in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, Russia.
The painting depicts a somber scene within the high, enclosing walls of a prison yard. Van Gogh’s use of his distinctive swirling brush strokes brings dynamic motion to the figures of prisoners as they trudge in a monotonous circle, suggesting the futility and repetitive nature of their existence. The walls, dominated by hues of yellow, green, and gray, loom oppressively over the figures below, closing off any sense of freedom or escape. The stark contrast between the individuality of each prisoner and their collective, robotic-like movement underscores the dehumanizing effects of incarceration. The light filtering through the high windows creates an interplay of illumination and shadow, intensifying the sense of confinement and the yearning for freedom evident in this poignant scene.
