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The Yellow Palette

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Vincent van Gogh: Chemicals, Crises and Creativity

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Abstract

Instant recognition of the image is soon followed by an appreciation of the palette. These are two of the many aspects which contribute to the popularity of Vincent van Gogh’s paintings in museums, and explain their prevalence as decorative reproductions. From the Paris period starting in 1886 until his death in 1890, Vincent created hundreds of paintings with vibrant colors, and on several occasions made a formal commitment to color. Thus, in the second half of 1886, he wrote to an English artist, Horace Livens: “In Antwerp I did not even know what the Impressionists were, now I have seen them and, though not being one of the club yet, I have much admired certain impressionists’ pictures … [as for myself] I have made a series of color studies in painting … seeking oppositions of blue with orange, red and green, yellow and violet, seeking … to harmonize brutal extremes… to render intense color and not a grey harmony … I have faith in color, even with regard to the price the public will pay for it in the long run” (letter 459a).

The more ugly, old, vicious, ill, and poor I get the more I want to take revenge by producing a brilliant color, well arranged, resplendent. Vincent to Wil., letter W7, from Arles, September 8, 1888.

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  1. Wilfred Niels Arnold
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© 1992 Birkhäuser Boston

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Arnold, W.N. (1992). The Yellow Palette. In: Vincent van Gogh: Chemicals, Crises and Creativity. Birkhäuser Boston. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2976-6_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2976-6_8

  • Publisher Name: Birkhäuser Boston

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-7742-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-2976-6

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