Van Gogh in Musée d’Orsay

The Musée d’Orsay is home to an extraordinary collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. 

Among the museum’s crown jewels are the vivid, emotionally charged paintings of Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh. 

Van Gogh left an indelible mark on the art world with his daring uses of color, impassioned brushwork, and searing depictions of humanity.

The Musée d’Orsay allows visitors to trace Van Gogh’s artistic evolution from his early, somber works like The Potato Eaters to his ecstatic Starry Night Over the Rhone. 

This article shares everything you need to know about Vincent Van Gogh in Musée d’Orsay.

About Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh is a Dutch artist famous for his paintings and drawings, which echo the Post-Impressionist art line.

He started his artistic career later in life, inspired by realism and life in general, which was reflected in his artwork.

His vivid colors, strong brushstrokes, and intense emotional content defined his bold, expressive, and unique style.

The theme of his art style denoted inner thoughts, psychological and emotional states, and a close connection to nature. 

He inspired later generations of artists for movements like Fauvism and Abstract Expressionism. 

Where to Find Van Gogh in Musée d’Orsay?

Van Gogh’s exhibits are in the “Galerie Françoise Cachin” on Level 5, in rooms 43 to 45.

About 35 paintings of Van Gogh are currently part of the Musée d’Orsay permanent collection.

Here is a detailed look at all the best Van Gogh masterpieces in Musée d’Orsay. 

Van Gogh’s Art Pieces in Musée d’Orsay

In Musée d’Orsay, Prism, the Van Gogh paintings are displayed at different levels and in other rooms in the museum.

Some of his works include:

Self-Portrait (1889)

It is a famous painting of Van Gogh, one of the 43 self-portraits he painted with him as the subject.

It is located in the “Galerie Françoise Cachin” on Level 5.

The painting is noted for its strong symbolism and bold colors, as well as its self-reflection and analysis of the artist.

His self-portrait is a representation of his inner turmoil and his artistic genius. 

The attention on the face depicts his harsh, thin features, while his eyes look anxious.

It reflects his mental state, inner agony and psychological turmoil, represented through the bold use of bright colors and brush strokes.

Starry Night Over the Rhone(1888)

This is one of the most famous paintings in Musée d’Orsay and is often mistaken for the classic Starry Night Painting. 

The Starry Night Over the Rhone is a successor of the classic painting. 

It is located on the Upper level, Room 36 of the museum.

It shows a nighttime panorama with the Rhone River, a small settlement, and a vast starry sky. 

You see a prevalence of blue shade with the shimmering city gas lights and sparkling stars.

It represents the sense of existence and the brilliance and passion of Vincent van Gogh.

However, it also displays nature’s beauty and expression of inner turmoil through the brush strokes and color palette.

The Bedroom

Another masterpiece of Van Gogh, displayed on the upper level, Room 36, out of the three identical works of the Bedroom.

It shows a bedroom at the yellow home in Arles, France, where Van Gogh briefly resided. 

The painting quite vividly captures every detail of the room.

He has used bright, vibrant colors and expressive brushwork, essential to his work style.

Roses and Anemones (1890)

One of the Van Gogh paintings in Musée d’Orsay is called Roses and Anemones, upper level, Room 37.

It is from his series of still-life paintings of cut flowers, the use of vibrant colors, and an oriental reference.

The artwork emits a cozy, welcoming vibe that honors life and beauty.

In the Garden of Doctor Paul Gachet (1890)

Displayed in the Upper level, Room 36 of the museum, this work depicts Van Gogh’s relation to Doctor Gachet, who treated him.

The painting uses a vibrant post-Impressionist style, vividly portraying Doctor Gachet’s garden, where he spent much of his time.

The garden of Dr. Gachet’s home is in the center of the picture, with the surroundings.

His expression is thoughtful and gloomy, while the vivid yellow flowers in the tree in the painting hint at the transience of life. 

The Meridian (1889-1890)

Another of Van Gogh’s paintings is the siesta, which he painted while in a mental asylum in Saint-Rémy de Provence.

Van Gogh took inspiration from Millet’s ‘Four Moments in the Day’ and painted two workmen taking their afternoon siesta against the heap of grass.

He represented rural France in the 1860s with peaceful yet intense colors.

Saint-Paul Hospital in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (1889)

Located in the middle level, Room 67 of Musée d’Orsay depicts the mental hospital where Van Gogh was based in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.

He vividly depicted the facade, with the tree and a gentleman standing in a suit when he stayed there.

Despite his psychological upheaval, this painting depicts a sense of calm and beauty.

Mademoiselle Gachet in her Garden in Auvers-sur-Oise (1890)

This Van Gogh painting is displayed in the Upper level, Room 36.

In this painting, Van Gogh painted Doctor Gachet’s daughter, Marguerite, with whom he was friendly.

He vividly captured the scene when Madam Gachet was gardening in her garden in Auvers-sur-Oise, and Van Gogh visited them.

This image is calm and tranquil, expressed through his art style and use of color.

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