Three white cottages in Saintes-Maries

Painted during his stay in the coastal village of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in southern France, Three White Cottages in Saintes-Maries (1888) captures Vincent van Gogh’s fascination with rural life and Mediterranean light. The scene shows three modest, sunlit cottages nestled closely together, their whitewashed walls contrasting with the rich blues and ochres of the surrounding landscape.

With lively brushwork and a bold, simplified color palette, Van Gogh conveys both the charm and the timelessness of the Provençal countryside. This work reflects his desire to find peace in nature and his ongoing exploration of light, texture, and structure in vernacular architecture.