The artwork “Houses at Vaugirard” is a landscape painting by Paul Gauguin, completed in 1880 in France. This oil on canvas piece measures 81.5 by 116 centimeters and exemplifies the Impressionism movement. Currently, it is housed in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, Israel.
In “Houses at Vaugirard”, Gauguin’s canvas is filled with the view of a humble village. The roofs of the houses, rendered in dark tones, dominate the foreground, giving way to more structures in the middle distance. These suburban dwellings are characterized by their modest, rustic architecture. The brushwork is loose and dynamic, typical of the Impressionist style, capturing the essence of the scene rather than its meticulous details.
The color palette is relatively subdued, featuring earthy tones that convey the simple, pastoral atmosphere of the location. Hints of greenery suggest the presence of gardens or trees, integrating nature subtly into the human habitat. The painting does not feature a deep perspective but instead offers a layered composition that provides a sense of depth and space. There is an intangible quality to the light that suffuses the scene, perhaps hinting at the time of day being either dawn or dusk. Overall, the artwork encapsulates a moment of everyday life, quiet and unassuming, yet relayed to the viewer with a palpable sense of atmosphere.
