“The Courtyard of the Hospital in Arles,” by Vincent van Gogh, is a masterful Post-Impressionist cityscape painted in 1889. Executed in oil on canvas, the artwork measures 73 x 92 cm and is currently housed in the Oskar Reinhart Foundation in Winterthur, Switzerland.
The artwork presents a vivid depiction of the courtyard of the hospital in Arles, characterized by its vibrant colors and dynamic brushstrokes. The scene is framed by the yellow arches of the hospital building in the background, providing a contrasting backdrop to the lush, intricate garden in the foreground. Tall trees with bare branches encircle the scene, their intricately detailed trunks and branches guiding the viewer’s eye toward the center of the composition. Exceptionally detailed, the garden is teeming with a variety of flora, meticulously rendered with Van Gogh’s signature expressive and swirling brushstrokes. A circular pond occupies a central place, its clear water reflecting the colors of the surrounding environment. Figures are dispersed throughout the courtyard, some engaged in conversation, others walking along the pathways, capturing a slice of life within this serene and beautifully rendered setting.
