Portrait of Dr. Gachet
Painting on canvas • Vincent van Gogh
Style & Movement
Post-Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil paint using heavy impasto, rhythmic brushstrokes, and broken color. The technique utilizes expressive, swirling lines and directional strokes to create emotional depth.
Creation Period
June 1890
Dimensions & Format
67 cm x 56 cm (26.4 in x 22 in); Portrait format
Subject Description
A portrait of Dr. Paul Gachet, the physician who cared for Van Gogh during his final months in Auvers-sur-Oise. The doctor is depicted in a melancholic pose, head resting on his hand. On the red table is a sprig of foxglove (digitalis), symbolizing his medical profession.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent (preserved in a museum environment).
Estimated Market Value
$150,000,000 - $200,000,000+
Auction Estimate
$100,000,000 - $180,000,000
Provenance History
Formerly in the collection of Siegfried Kramarsky; sold at Christie's New York in 1990 to Ryoei Saito; currently in a private collection (location disputed/undisclosed). This specific version is one of two authentic versions, the other being in the Musée d'Orsay.
Art Historical Significance
One of the most famous and revered portraits in Western art history. It captures the 'heartbroken expression of our time' as described by the artist. It is a pinnacle of late 19th-century portraiture, bridging the gap to Expressionism.
Notable Features
The presence of the foxglove plant; the distinctive 'melancholy' gaze of the sitter; the intense contrast between the deep cobalt blue jacket and the vibrant red table; the use of rhythmic, wavy lines in the background hills.
Condition Issues
Stable; minor age-related craquelure typical of late 19th-century oil paintings; no major losses visible.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain strictly controlled humidity (45-55%) and temperature (20°C). Use UV-filtering glass and low-intensity lighting to prevent pigment fading, particularly the potentially fugitive red and violet tones.