Montmartre near the Upper Mill 1 by Vincent Van Gogh

This nocturnal urban scene perfectly illustrates Vincent van Gogh’s interest in Parisian life and the effects of artificial light. Belonging to the innovative movement of post-impressionism, the work captures the vibrant atmosphere of a public promenade at the end of the day. In this original composition entitled “Montmartre near the Upper Mill 1”, the artist contrasts the emerging clarity of the streetlamps with the dark shades of a twilight sky, translating the melancholy poetry of urban modernity.

The painting depicts a Montmartre promenade lined with a row of four tall gas streetlamps that rise very elegantly. Several silhouettes of strollers, dressed in dark coats and stylish top hats, stroll along the protective metal barrier. On the right, an elevated wooden structure accommodates a couple of spectators contemplating the wide sea or a distant landscape. The cloudy sky is painted in tones of gray blue and creamy white, suggesting the diffuse light of twilight. On the ground, the long shadows of the lampposts and figures stretch across the pavement, emphasizing the perspective effect and the feeling of calm.

The mastery of oil painting is visible in the fluid brushstroke and the structured lines that define the streetlamps and the balustrade. The painter uses value contrasts to give depth to this night promenade. His manual art lends a unique visual poetry to this scene of modern life.