The Life and Incredible Use of Color and Symbolism in the Artworks of Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh, commonly referred to as Van Gogh, was a mentally tormented post-impressionist artist from the late 1800s. He was best known for his textured paintings that heavily incorporated color theory. Extremely emotional and opinionated, he used art as an outlet to express these feelings, as seen in his masterpiece, “Lullaby: Madame Augustine Roulin Rocking a Cradle (La Berceuse)”. Completed in 1889, this portrait is of his friend Augustine Roulin, a mother of three and the wife of Joseph Roulin, the postman (Art Institute of Chicago).

He started this portrait before his admission to a mental asylum and completed it after his release. “Lullaby”, in Van Gogh’s own words, was “his best work” (Art Institute of Chicago). It is commonly examined first by looking at his marvelous color scheme, which captivates the viewer, followed by his use of symbolism throughout the painting, and finally, his purpose of the painting.

Due to his work in color theory, Van Gogh is often praised for his impressive color schemes. An example can be found in this painting where the beautifully crafted background is apparent. The maroon wallpaper complements the predominantly green, white, and yellow background existing upwards from Augustine’s waist. This background is thinly painted onto the canvas, which prompts the viewer to focus on Augustine’s figure. Her figure is outlined in black, allowing the eye to focus on the shades of green that Augustine is dressed in. Her emerald green skirt and forest-colored blouse beautifully complement her acid-yellow face and orange hair. This powerful medley of robust colors enables viewers to appreciate Van Gogh’s work in color theory.

Van Gogh is also known for his masterful use of symbolism, especially when it comes to his choice of color. His unique color choice for Augustine’s face, for example, uses acid yellow, similar to the flooring in his artwork “The Night Cafe”. This was used to give the café an eerie look, as Van Gogh despised the café. However, that is not the case in “Lullaby”. According to a letter Van Gogh wrote to Theo, “the yellow and orange tones of the head will gain in brilliance by the proximity of the yellow wings” (Art Institute of Chicago). We can propose that the use of acid yellow in this case is to honor Augustine Roulin. He takes this a step further by painting the words “La Berceuse” on the arm of the chair. In the context of this painting, “La Berceuse” roughly translates to “a woman who rocks an infant in a cradle” (Art Institute of Chicago). Augustine had to raise three of her own children, therefore, we can infer that part of his reason for creating this portrait was to praise women and their role in raising children.

Van Gogh’s main purpose for the portrait is the final point to examine. Drawing from the previous paragraph, “La Berceuse” translates to “a woman who rocks an infant in a cradle.” The cradle is significant because it symbolizes tranquility and peace. This meaning was directed toward fishermen, with the belief that the rocking of a ship would remind them of their mothers, rocking them to sleep with a lullaby (Art Institute of Chicago). After his close friend and fellow artist, Paul Gauguin, left him, Van Gogh replicated this soothing image five times (Art Institute of Chicago). According to Van Gogh, creating multiple copies was to “ensure the availability of his best work to all who might want it” (Art Institute of Chicago). However, considering the last copy of this painting was made a year before he took his own life, there’s a possibility that he also painted the copies as a means to find peace.

Unfortunately, Van Gogh never found peace on Earth. He was perpetually tormented by his own mind and ended his life in 1890. Yet, Van Gogh continues to live through his work in museums, captivating audiences around the world with his extraordinary use of color theory and paint texture. In one of his final paintings, “Lullaby: Madame Augustine Roulin Rocking a Cradle (La Berceuse),” he once again astonishes the world with his use of complementary colors. The portrait’s symbolism is a departure from his painting “The Night Cafe,” in which he used acid yellow to pay tribute to Augustine Roulin. Ultimately, the purpose of the painting goes beyond what he claimed – to “ensure the availability of his best work to all who might want it”, as he also painted this to find peace within himself. Van Gogh’s incredible use of color and symbolism to portray his purpose will captivate minds, young and old, for generations to come.

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