1894
oil
canvas
From the collection of Kröller-Müller Museum
Dominant colour
Smoked Herrings is a 1894 oil by Vincent van Gogh, a Post-Impressionism work, held at Kröller-Müller Museum.
In the painting, a few smoked herrings are suspended from a hook against a dark background. The fish are depicted in shades of brown and gold, with visible brushstrokes. The overall atmosphere is somber, with the dark background drawing attention to the fish. A notable detail in the painting is the way the light catches the fish, highlighting their texture and shape. This is achieved through the use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth. The painting's use of chiaroscuro adds depth and dimension to the scene, making the fish appear more lifelike. To learn more about this technique, look up chiaroscuro.
Vincent Willem van Gogh was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art.
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