Audio guide for the Kroller-Muller museum

Van Gogh is not interested in painting photographic portraits of people, because a portrait also has to capture some of the character and mood of the person. It is hard to say in which mood Vincent has portrayed himself here. What can be said is that his eyes seem somewhat restless.

Picasso loved animals and one of his favourite subjects was the owl, which he depicted using many techniques and in various forms: from aggressive bird-of-prey to wise owl. The model for this small sculpture dating from 1951 or slightly later was a wounded little owl, which Picasso had rescued.

Vincent van Gogh painted this 'Bridge at Arles' in mid-March 1888. We know this from the letters Vincent sent to his brother. He painted this bridge several times. This is one of the first studies in bright colours, with beautiful contrasts of blue and orange. In the foreground, you can see several women washing their clothes.