The artwork titled “Windmill on Montmartre,” created by Vincent van Gogh in 1886 in Paris, France, is an oil on canvas painting that belongs to the Post-Impressionism art movement and falls under the cityscape genre. Tragically, the painting has since been destroyed.
In the artwork, van Gogh captures a scenic view of a pathway leading up to a windmill located in Montmartre. The composition features an ascending set of stairs flanked by foliage and trees in their early stages of bloom, leading the viewer’s eye towards the horizon where the windmill stands prominently against a bright, blue sky. The windmill, adorned with French flags, is rendered in a quintessential post-impressionist style with bold brush strokes and vivid colors that imbue the scene with a sense of movement and vitality. A solitary figure can be seen walking up the steps, adding a human element to the serene and evocative landscape. The use of light and shadow plays a significant role in creating depth and emphasizing the architectural and natural features of this well-known Parisian locale.
