Mrs. Keyfitz's Art Blog

Art Inspiration, Discussion & Appreciation




Bedroom at Arles by Vincent Van Gogh (1889) What we learned- Van Gogh painted his bedroom at a time when he no longer lived there. The colors utilized were meant to evoke feelings of calm and relaxation. One-point perspective was used to create a foreground, middleground and background in the painting.  Additionally, the bed (which is in the foreground, middleground and background) is much larger at the foot than the head as a result of the perspective.  One object that undergoes this kind of proportional shift as a result of perspective is referred to as being foreshortened. Discussion Questions: Why would Van Gogh paint a room in which he no longer lived? What other painting have we studied where memory was a key factor? The painting is not a completely accurate depiction of Van Gogh’s actual room.  Why would he choose to remember it differently?

Bedroom at Arles by Vincent Van Gogh (1889)

What we learned-

  • Van Gogh painted his bedroom at a time when he no longer lived there.
  • The colors utilized were meant to evoke feelings of calm and relaxation.
  • One-point perspective was used to create a foreground, middleground and background in the painting.  Additionally, the bed (which is in the foreground, middleground and background) is much larger at the foot than the head as a result of the perspective.  One object that undergoes this kind of proportional shift as a result of perspective is referred to as being foreshortened.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why would Van Gogh paint a room in which he no longer lived?
  2. What other painting have we studied where memory was a key factor?
  3. The painting is not a completely accurate depiction of Van Gogh’s actual room.  Why would he choose to remember it differently?

Notes