Street in Sainte-Maries Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)

The drawing presents a view down a narrow street within a small settlement. The perspective is markedly skewed; the road recedes sharply into the distance, creating a sense of depth but also distorting spatial relationships. Buildings line both sides of this thoroughfare, their facades rendered with an energetic and repetitive hatching technique that emphasizes texture and form. Rooflines are particularly prominent, exhibiting a complex layering of planes and angles.
The architectural style suggests a rural or coastal location; the buildings appear modest in scale and construction, possibly constructed from local materials. A few chimneys emit plumes of smoke, hinting at domestic activity within these structures. The vegetation is abundant, with dense foliage crowding the edges of the street, softening the harshness of the built environment.
The artist’s use of line is particularly noteworthy. Rather than smooth transitions or blended tones, theres a deliberate emphasis on individual strokes and their directionality. This creates a vibrant surface quality that conveys movement and energy. The repetitive nature of the hatching also lends a rhythmic quality to the composition.
Beyond the immediate depiction of the street scene, one detects an underlying sense of quietude and isolation. The narrowness of the road, coupled with the dense surrounding vegetation, suggests a place somewhat removed from larger centers of activity. There’s a feeling of enclosure, as if the viewer is peering into a secluded corner of the world.
The presence of writing in the upper right quadrant introduces another layer of interpretation. While the content of this inscription remains illegible, its inclusion disrupts the visual flow and suggests a personal connection between the artist and the scene being depicted – perhaps a note or observation jotted down during the initial sketching process. This detail contributes to an impression of immediacy and intimacy in the work.