Winter (The Vicarage Garden under Snow). Vincent van Gogh. Van Gogh - Der Pfarrgarten in Nuenen im Schnee1.jpeg (source). Public domain — PD-old / PD-US declaration.
Winter (The Vicarage Garden under Snow)
Vincent van Gogh · 1885, January
- Catalog
- F194
- Date
- 1885, January
- Place painted
- Nuenen
- Museum
- Norton Simon Museum
- Medium
- Oil on canvas, mounted to panel
About the painting
This painting offers a striking contrast to the vibrant, sun-drenched scenes most people associate with Van Gogh. Created in Nuenen, Netherlands, during his early "Dutch period," Winter (The Vicarage Garden under Snow) showcases his initial, more somber palette and his deep empathy for the harsh realities of rural life. The scene depicts the snow-covered garden of his father's vicarage, rendered with thick, impasto strokes that convey the cold and the texture of the snow. The muted tones of grays, browns, and whites dominate, reflecting the bleakness of winter and the quiet struggle of nature. This work is a crucial piece for understanding Van Gogh's foundational years, demonstrating his early commitment to depicting the everyday world with profound sincerity, long before his explosion of color in France.
Collection: Norton Simon Museum. Whether it is currently on view should be confirmed with the museum before visiting.
Research note: this entry is based on an evolving catalog. Dates, attribution, location and visitor information should be verified against the institution’s current records.