The Bois de Boulogne with People Walking 1886

Vincent van Gogh painted this oil on canvas scene of the Bois de Boulogne in Paris. We see a snapshot of leisure in the late 19th century. Consider the Bois de Boulogne itself – transformed from royal hunting grounds to a public park, reflecting shifting social values. The figures, though indistinct, suggest a range of Parisian society enjoying this space. Van Gogh, a Dutchman in Paris, captures this scene with his characteristic brushstrokes and color palette. What was Van Gogh trying to say about Parisian society, and why did he choose this park as his subject? By researching the history of the Bois de Boulogne and the social dynamics of Parisian life in the late 1800s, we can better understand the role of art in reflecting and shaping our understanding of social change.