In this painting, written in 1888 in Arles, the artist painted an ancient amphitheater on which bullfights were arranged. The point of view is chosen in such a way that the audience becomes the main character.
Researchers believe that among the spectators Van Gogh depicted many of his acquaintances, whose images can be seen in other paintings of the artist of this period. Van Gogh perfectly succeeded in the poses and gestures of people, in the motley of bright spots convey a lively noise of the human crowd.
The action taking place on the stage is of secondary importance for the artist. He puts it in the upper right corner and very generalizes the figures of bullfighters with bulls. Nevertheless, the bright yellow spot of the scene distinguishes it from the general compositional mass, because it is the spectacle that unites all the people on the arena.
Van Gogh uses bright contrasting color combinations that enhance the feeling of a festive revival. It is known that the painting was written under the influence of the work of Gauguin, who at that time lived in Arles in the yellow house of Van Gogh. Influence of the friend has very much affected a picturesque manner: Van Gogh uses generalized spots, simpler colors. The details of the picture are circled in a dark outline, which also brings the picture closer to the works of Gauguin.
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