The Poet’s Garden

The Poet’s Garden, painted in Arles in 1888, reflects Vincent van Gogh’s vision of an artistic and emotional retreat—an idealized space of beauty, harmony, and contemplation. Inspired by the public gardens near the Yellow House where he lived, Van Gogh imagined this setting as a sanctuary for creative minds, particularly for his friend and hoped-for collaborator, Paul Gauguin.

The painting features winding paths, green benches, blossoming trees, and figures at rest, all bathed in warm, golden light. With vivid, contrasting colors and expressive brushwork, Van Gogh evokes a serene yet symbolically rich atmosphere. The Poet’s Garden is both a real place and a dreamscape—an embodiment of Van Gogh’s longing for artistic brotherhood and emotional refuge.