Who painted Square Saint-Pierre at Sunset?

Square Saint-Pierre at Sunset was painted by Vincent van Gogh in 1887.

Where can I see Square Saint-Pierre at Sunset?

Square Saint-Pierre at Sunset is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Square Saint-Pierre at Sunset?

Square Saint-Pierre at Sunset is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Square Saint-Pierre at Sunset?

Museum-quality prints of Square Saint-Pierre at Sunset are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Square Saint-Pierre at Sunset

Vincent van Gogh , 1887

Square Saint-Pierre at Sunset is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh. It dates from 1887 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The subject focuses on the natural element of the tree set against the backdrop of the square, representing a moment of daily life in the Parisian landscape.

The painting depicts a tree situated within the Square Saint-Pierre in Paris. Created in May 1887 during the artist's time in the city, the work captures this specific urban setting at sunset. The subject focuses on the natural element of the tree set against the backdrop of the square, representing a moment of daily life in the Parisian landscape.

The composition highlights the interplay of light and nature within an urban environment, characteristic of the artist's exploration of outdoor scenes during this period.

Technique & Style

Square Saint-Pierre at Sunset is an oil painting on canvas executed by Vincent van Gogh in 1887, produced while he was working in Paris. The work measures 33 cm in height by 42 cm in width, a modest horizontal format suited to a small-scale study. It is classified as a painting and is held in the collections of both the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum.

The canvas support and oil medium are consistent with Van Gogh's Parisian practice during this period, when he frequently painted urban views en plein air or in close observation of the cityscape. The composition centers on a tree, rendered with the broken brushwork and heightened color contrasts characteristic of his Montmartre-era output.

History & Provenance

Square Saint-Pierre at Sunset is an oil painting on canvas created in Paris in 1887. The work entered the collection of the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, institutions that now hold it. Its creation history is tied to Van Gogh's time in Paris, where he produced many works featuring trees and urban landscapes.

Square Saint-Pierre at Sunset, painted by Vincent van Gogh in 1887, is held in the collection of the Van Gogh Museum and is also associated with the Rijksmuseum, according to Wikidata records. The work is catalogued as a painting executed in oil paint on canvas. No specific accession number is recorded in the available sources, and no exhibition history is documented for the work.

Overview

Vincent van Gogh’s Square Saint-Pierre at Sunset is an 1887 oil painting. Part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection, it presents a rural scene dominated by natural elements. The composition centers on a winding path flanked by vegetation, with a luminous sky occupying the upper portion of the canvas. Executed during van Gogh’s Paris period, the work reflects his experimentation with color and texture.

Context

This painting emerges from van Gogh’s time in Paris, a period marked by exposure to Impressionism and Pointillism. While earlier works leaned toward somber tones, his Parisian output embraced brighter hues and looser brushwork. The Square Saint-Pierre, near his Montmartre residence, was a frequent subject, offering accessible motifs for studying light and color. The painting reflects his evolving style before his departure for Arles in 1888.