The old mill by Vincent Van Gogh

The old mill by Vincent Van Gogh

During one of the walks around the neighborhood of Arles, Van Gogh was impressed by the sight of the old mill on the outskirts of the village. The artist always found a peculiar appeal in dilapidated buildings, but even more it was inspired by the theme of peasant labor. These feelings are embodied in this picture.

The massive building of the old mill takes up most of the foreground, but it is free of gravity and heaviness. The artist emphasized her dilapidation, depicting rickety walls, old brickwork, uneven roof.

In the background, a blue strip shows the hills, at the foot of which are located farm plots. The author compositively separated them from the mill’s construction in order to emphasize the difference between the old and the new way of rural life. On the right, he placed the figures of the elderly who go supporting one another.

The picture is made by wide free brush strokes of pasty paint. Its color scheme is composed of calm, warm tones. Against the background of a bright blue strip of hills, you can see the roofs of farmhouses and islands of bright greenery. The foreground, together with the building of the mill, is made in pastel dull tones, only slightly enlivening with lilac and green strokes.

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