L'Arlésienne (Madame Ginoux)
Painting on canvas mounted on panel • Vincent van Gogh
Style & Movement
Post-Impressionism / Cloisonnism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, employing heavy impasto, bold cloisonnism with dark outlines, and rhythmic, multi-directional brushstrokes.
Creation Period
November 1888
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 92.5 cm x 73.5 cm; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A portrait of Marie Ginoux, the owner of the Café de la Gare in Arles. The subject is depicted in traditional Arlésienne costume, leaning on a table with her head resting on her hand in a melancholic or pensive pose. In front of her lie an umbrella and a pair of gloves. The background is a vibrant, flat chrome yellow, contrasting with the dark blues and purples of her dress.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the work shows stable paint film and retained impasto peaks, though typical aged varnish and minor surface grime are present consistent with age.
Estimated Market Value
$80,000,000 - $120,000,000
Auction Estimate
$70,000,000 - $100,000,000+
Provenance History
Originally in the collection of the artist's brother, Theo van Gogh; subsequently passed through various private hands and galleries; now part of a major public museum collection (Musée d'Orsay, Paris).
Art Historical Significance
A seminal work from Van Gogh's Arles period, representing his collaboration and eventual fallout with Paul Gauguin. It demonstrates the shift toward symbolic color and simplified forms that defined the birth of modern art.
Notable Features
The use of the 'Arlesian' costume as a cultural signifier; the dramatic color contrast between the yellow background and dark attire; the inclusion of personal accessories like the gloves and parasol which suggest a narrative of a woman about to leave or just arrived.
Condition Issues
Stable craquelure throughout the background yellow fields; slight yellowing of the original varnish layer; minor edge wear from the frame rebate.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment (20°C, 50% RH). Professional surface cleaning of dust recommended. UV-filtered glazing for display.