Portrait of the Artist’s Mother

About the painting

The Norton Simon Museum holds this poignant Portrait of the Artist's Mother (1888), painted during his Arles period. This work is a testament to Van Gogh's evolving style and his increasing use of vibrant, expressive color. While based on a photograph, Van Gogh transforms the image into a deeply personal and emotionally charged portrait, using striking complementary colors like seafoam greens and scarlet reds to animate her features. His brushstrokes are smaller and more energetic, imbuing the sitter with a sense of movement and liveliness. This portrait reveals his ongoing exploration of human character, even when working from a secondary source, and his growing confidence in using color to convey inner life.