Landscape Near Arles 1888

Paul Gauguin created 'Landscape Near Arles' with oil on canvas. The painting features a haystack, farmhouse, and trees. The visible brushstrokes create texture and a sense of movement in the landscape, and speak to the labor involved in its creation. Gauguin’s emphasis on bold color departs from traditional landscape painting, which often prioritized realistic representation. In his choice of subject matter, the painting depicts the rural landscape, and reflects the tradition of agrarian life, contrasting with the increasing industrialization of France at the time. The artist highlights the value of rural life and craftsmanship at a time when industrialization threatened to overshadow these traditions. It prompts us to reflect on the relationship between the modes of production and the natural world. Gauguin elevated the traditional landscape genre, infusing it with personal expression.