Meadow in the Garden of Saint-Paul Hospital 1890

Vincent van Gogh painted "Meadow in the Garden of Saint-Paul Hospital" with oil on canvas while he was a patient at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum near Saint-Rémy, France. Van Gogh checked himself into the asylum in 1889, seeking refuge from his mental health struggles. During his stay, Van Gogh was confined to the grounds, finding solace and inspiration in the asylum's garden. Here, in this painting, we see how he uses the natural world as a space for contemplation, where he could negotiate his emotional and psychological states. The swirling brushstrokes and vibrant colours, so characteristic of his style, reflect his intense emotional responses to the landscape around him. The painting offers a deeply personal perspective, reflecting Van Gogh's intimate relationship with his surroundings and inviting viewers to consider the complex interplay between mental health, creativity, and the search for inner peace.