The Garden of Saint-Paul Hospital with Figure 1889

Vincent van Gogh painted this scene at Saint-Paul Hospital using oil on canvas. Look closely, and you’ll see how the paint has been built up, layer upon layer, to create a tangible sense of texture. The thick application of paint is called impasto, and it’s key to understanding Van Gogh’s process. See how he uses short, deliberate brushstrokes to define the forms of the trees, the path, and the figure nestled among the trunks. This wasn't just about representation; it was a physical engagement with the material, a way to translate his emotional state onto the canvas. Van Gogh was working at a time of enormous change in the art world, when painting began to turn away from simply recording reality, and towards a more expressive language. The work involved in this piece is not just about skill, but a deep investment of self. By emphasizing the material reality of the paint, Van Gogh elevated the making process itself.