‘The Yellow House’ (1888), 72 cm x 91.5 cm, which was named ‘The Street’ (oil on canvas) by Vincent van Gogh was painted during his stay in the city of Arles in the south of France.

The Arles period was considered as the most creative period of his career in which van Gogh painted over 200 paintings in his 15 months of stay. Many of the artist’s best known artworks were produced here.

‘The Yellow House’ records the artist’s immediate surroundings. He rented four rooms and finally found a place where he could not only paint but his friends could also come and stay with him.

In a letter to Theo, his brother, he wrote that “a sulphur sun, under a pure cobalt sky. That’s a really difficult subject! But I want to conquer it for that very reason”. The painting is currently displayed at Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam. — M.I.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, September 21st, 2014