Zouave 1888

Vincent van Gogh painted 'Zouave' using oil on canvas. The painting is dominated by a vibrant red which forms the sitter’s fez, skirt, and the tiled floor. This contrasts starkly with the dark jacket and the sitter’s features, creating a visually arresting image. Van Gogh's use of color, particularly the intense red, is not merely decorative. It serves a structural purpose, guiding the eye across the canvas and creating a sense of depth and volume. The composition, with the figure centrally positioned, lends a monumental quality to the work, typical of Van Gogh's interest in depicting ordinary people with dignity. The brushstrokes are visible and textured, adding to the overall sense of materiality. This approach destabilizes traditional notions of portraiture, moving away from idealized representation towards a more subjective and expressive mode. The materiality of paint becomes a signifier in itself.