The Plain of Auvers

Painted in the summer of 1890, this sweeping view shows the rolling fields around Auvers-sur-Oise, a small village north of Paris where Van Gogh spent the final weeks of his life. The wide landscape stretches out under a deep blue-green sky, with patches of yellow grain, fresh greenery, and a haystack tucked into the lower left corner. You can almost feel the wind moving across the open country, thanks to the lively, swirling brushstrokes that give the whole scene a sense of motion.

Van Gogh arrived in Auvers in May of 1890, hoping the quiet countryside would calm his troubled mind. He worked at a remarkable pace during this time, finishing roughly one painting a day. This canvas is one of several panoramic field scenes he made, and it reflects both his love of nature and his restless energy. Sadly, he died here in late July, making works like this a window into his final, deeply productive moments. Look closely at the thick layers of paint and you can see exactly how he laid down each stroke, color upon color, building the fields with quick, confident motions.