A. Mak

Founded 1839

Explore Selected Works

Rectangular plots of flowers, each in a single color, stretch toward us below a sky nearly filled with cream-white clouds in this horizontal landscape painting. Together, the monochromatic plots create the impression of a patchwork quilt, with large areas of pale pink, butter yellow, bright white, and baby blue. A person walks across the plots to our right. The horizon line comes almost halfway up the painting and is lined with dark brown houses with tall, pitched roofs. Two barren trees twist into the cloudy sky. The loose, short, parallel brushstrokes and touches of paint create a soft, hazy effect.
Vincent van Gogh, Flower Beds in Holland, c. 1883, oil on canvas on wood, Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, 1983.1.21

Flower Beds in Holland

Vincent van Gogh · c. 1883 · oil on canvas on wood ·  Accession ID  1983.1.21

In shades of mint, laurel, and eucalyptus green, the head and shoulders of a chubby baby fill this vertical portrait painting. It is created with long, visible brushstrokes, some of which are thick enough to cast shadows onto the canvas beneath. The baby’s skin is painted with cool, light green, with peach-colored highlights. The baby has large, vivid blue eyes gazing intently down and off to our right, full lips, and chubby cheeks. The white garment comes to the baby’s elbows, and the pudgy fingers touch. The baby wears a gold bracelet and a gold ring with a round, red stone on the right hand, to our left. The garment and white cap on the head are outlined in sky or royal blue. Painted with vertical strokes, the background is a darker shade of laurel green.
Vincent van Gogh, Roulin's Baby, 1888, oil on canvas, Chester Dale Collection, 1963.10.31

Roulin's Baby

Vincent van Gogh · 1888 · oil on canvas ·  Accession ID  1963.10.31