Les Alyscamps

Van Gogh and Gauguin painted Les Alyscamps — the ancient Roman necropolis on the edge of Arles — on the same days in late October and early November 1888, making the two artists' versions a rare opportunity for direct stylistic comparison. The alley of poplar trees over the ancient sarcophagi-lined path appealed to both men for different reasons: Gauguin saw it through a Symbolist lens, while Van Gogh was captivated by the transformation of the leaves in the autumn light. Van Gogh produced four versions within a few days. The falling leaves and couples walking among ancient stones created an image of beauty freighted with time and mortality, themes that resonated with the increasingly tense atmosphere between him and Gauguin.

The yellowed poplar foliage is built from rapid, curved strokes of gold, orange, and sienna against a blue-green sky. The fallen leaves on the path are daubed in loose, impressionistic touches. The vertical rhythm of the tree trunks organises the composition along clear architectural lines.