The artwork, titled “Thatched Cottages in the Sunshine Reminiscence of the North,” is an oil painting on canvas created by Vincent van Gogh in 1890 while he was in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France. Belonging to the Post-Impressionism art movement, this landscape genre artwork is part of the Barnes Foundation collection in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
In this artwork, Van Gogh utilizes his distinctive impasto technique, applying thick, expressive strokes of paint to create a vivid and dynamic representation of thatched cottages basking in the sunlight. The scene is imbued with a sense of rustic charm and tranquility, enhanced by the warm, radiant colors of the sun setting in the background. The undulating lines and swirling forms of the smoke rising from chimneys infuse the scene with life and movement. The presence of a single figure in the foreground, dressed in earthy tones, adds a human element to the pastoral landscape, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the serene beauty of the countryside. Through this composition, Van Gogh captures both the physical and emotional essence of rural life, reflecting his deep connection to nature and his surroundings.
