Portrait of a Woman (Madame Tanguy) 1887

Vincent van Gogh painted this portrait of Madame Tanguy with oil on canvas. Look closely, and you’ll notice the thick application of paint, or impasto, that defines Van Gogh’s work. It’s almost sculptural. He didn’t try to hide the labor involved. Instead, he reveled in the materiality of the paint and the repetitive action of applying brushstrokes. The result is an honest expression of both the subject and the artist's hand. Madame Tanguy and her husband ran a small paint shop in Paris, providing materials for artists like Van Gogh. In exchange for supplies, artists would often give the Tanguy’s paintings, which they would then sell. This informal economy highlights the complex relationship between artistic creation, commerce, and community. The very materials of this artwork speak to these connections. Van Gogh’s direct approach challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, reminding us of the value in both skilled labor and human connection.