Portrait of Dr. Gachet (Second Version)
Painting on canvas • Vincent van Gogh
Style & Movement
Post-Impressionism / Expressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, utilizing heavy impasto, rhythmic brushstrokes, and a vibrant color palette with complementary contrasts.
Creation Period
June 1890
Dimensions & Format
67 cm x 56 cm (26 in × 22 in); vertical portrait format.
Subject Description
A melancholic portrait of Dr. Paul Gachet, the physician who cared for Van Gogh during his final weeks in Auvers-sur-Oise. The doctor is depicted in a weary, 'heartbroken' pose, resting his head on his hand. On the red table before him lies a sprig of foxglove (digitalis), symbolic of his medical profession and homeopathic treatments.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent/Very Good; currently housed in a major museum collection (Musée d'Orsay) with professional conservation and stable environment.
Estimated Market Value
$100,000,000 - $150,000,000 (Based on the 1990 sale of the first version for $82.5 million and the rarity of the artist's late masterpieces).
Auction Estimate
$120,000,000+ (High-market cultural icon value).
Provenance History
Gifted by the artist to Dr. Gachet; passed by descent to Paul and Marguerite Gachet; donated to the French State in 1949 and assigned to the Musée du Louvre, later transferred to the Musée d'Orsay.
Art Historical Significance
A masterpiece of modern portraiture, this work captures the psychological angst of the late 19th century. It is one of the most famous images in Western art, representing the empathetic connection between the suffering artist and his caretaker.
Notable Features
Distinguished by the 'melancholy expression' which Van Gogh described in his letters as essential to capturing the modern soul. Unlike the first version, this version lacks the books on the table and features a more simplified, intensely blue background.
Condition Issues
Stable minor craquelure consistent with 19th-century oil on canvas; no significant losses or major overpainting reported.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain strict climate control (20°C, 50% RH), low UV light levels, and utilize non-reflective museum glass for protection against environmental pollutants.