At Eternity's Gate

At Eternity's Gate, created by Vincent van Gogh in 1882, is a seminal work from the artist’s early Dutch period. Classified as a print, this powerful image was executed using the demanding technique of transfer lithography. This medium allowed the artist to produce multiple copies of his detailed drawings, reflecting his early interest in social realism and his commitment to making art accessible. Unlike the much later, iconic oil painting of the same subject created near the end of his life, this 1882 lithograph showcases Gogh’s foundational skills in draftsmanship and linear composition.

The work depicts an elderly man, often referred to as a weary peasant or laborer, seated on a simple chair by a fireplace, his face buried in his hands in a gesture of profound fatigue and contemplation. During his time in The Hague, Gogh was intensely focused on rendering the lives of the working poor, influenced heavily by French Realist masters like Jean-François Millet. The technique of transfer lithography utilized here results in stark contrasts and heavy, deliberate linework, effectively emphasizing the figure’s isolation and despair.

This early exploration of human suffering and existential contemplation is an essential piece for understanding the trajectory of the artist’s career from draftsman to painter. The Metropolitan Museum of Art preserves this important print in its comprehensive collection of works by the Dutch master. Due to its age and stature, high-quality images of this early print often enter the public domain, ensuring Gogh’s masterful works are accessible for study and reproduction globally.