“The State Lottery,” created by Vincent van Gogh in 1882 during his time in The Hague, Netherlands, is a watercolor genre painting rendered on paper. This artwork, which belongs to the Realism movement, measures 38 by 57 centimeters and is currently housed at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The artwork depicts a bustling group of individuals gathered at the entrance of what appears to be a lottery office, evidenced by the sign “Staat Lottery” prominently displayed. The crowd is primarily composed of laborers and modestly dressed townsfolk, engaged in the common activity of purchasing lottery tickets. The piece captures the essence of everyday life and the anticipation of a windfall among working-class citizens. The artist employs a muted color palette, predominantly consisting of earthy tones and subdued hues, which heightens the scene’s realism. The use of watercolor gives the scene a fluidity and immediacy, effectively conveying the transient nature of the moment.
