Portrait of Madame Ginoux (L'Arlesienne) 1888

Vincent van Gogh painted this portrait of Madame Ginoux, using oil on canvas, to capture the essence of his subject in a distinctly expressive style. The painting is organized around the subject's direct gaze, which invites immediate engagement. Van Gogh's use of color, particularly the contrast between the yellowish floral wallpaper and the green table, creates a vibrant tension. This palette choice not only animates the composition but also distorts the perception of depth, flattening the image and focusing our attention on the surface. The thick, visible brushstrokes, a hallmark of Van Gogh’s technique, construct a rich, tactile texture. Each stroke is deliberate, contributing to the overall form while retaining its own identity. Van Gogh destabilizes traditional portraiture through these methods, moving beyond mere representation to explore deeper emotional and psychological states. Ultimately, the painting’s structural elements and expressive use of color and brushwork invite ongoing interpretation, highlighting the artist's radical approach to form and representation.