L'Arlésienne: Madame Joseph-Michel Ginoux (Marie Julien, 1848–1911). Vincent van Gogh L'Arlésienne- Madame Joseph-Michel Ginoux (Marie Julien, 1848–1911) MET DT1396.jpg (source). CC0 1.0.
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L'Arlésienne: Madame Joseph-Michel Ginoux (Marie Julien, 1848–1911)
Vincent van Gogh · 1888, November (or May 1889?)
- Catalog
- F488
- Date
- 1888, November (or May 1889?)
- Place painted
- Arles
- Museum
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
About the painting
Van Gogh's portrait of L'Arlésienne (Madame Ginoux) is an iconic depiction of a local woman from Arles. Seated at a table with books, her pose is contemplative and dignified. Van Gogh captures her essence with remarkable intensity, focusing on her striking features and warm expression. The background, often a vibrant yellow, is rendered with bold, sweeping brushstrokes, contrasting her subdued dress and skin. Her traditional Arlésienne costume, particularly her headdress, is meticulously detailed. However, her face commands attention – the direct gaze, strong features, and subtle hints of character convey psychological depth. The use of strong outlines and flat color, influenced by Japanese prints, gives the portrait a distinct graphic quality.
Collection: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 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.