La Mousmé

La Mousmé by Vincent van Gogh is an oil on canvas painting completed in Arles in 1888. This striking portrait reflects Gogh's deep engagement with Japanese aesthetics, particularly the use of flat planes of color and strong outlines derived from ukiyo-e prints. The title itself, meaning ‘young girl’ in the local dialect, was drawn from contemporary French literature and highlights the artist’s interest in documenting the local populace of Provence during his pivotal year in the south of France.

Characteristic of the Post-Impressionist period, which spanned roughly 1876 to 1900, the work features vigorous, directional brushstrokes and a highly saturated, non-naturalistic palette. As a key figure in the history of Dutch art, Gogh used color not merely for description but for emotional and symbolic effect. The sitter wears a light pink dress accented by a vivid green jacket, colors that aggressively contrast with the brilliant, patterned background. Gogh utilizes thick impasto across the entire surface, making the texture of the painting almost as important as the image itself, a hallmark technique he developed rapidly during this crucial artistic phase.

The subject’s compassionate gaze and vibrant portrayal showcase Gogh's ability to infuse simple portraiture with profound feeling. The spontaneous energy of the brushwork conveys a sense of immediacy and warmth, typical of the portraits Gogh created during this time. This important canvas currently resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. Given the enduring popularity and historical significance of this masterwork, high-resolution images and fine art prints are widely available, often entering the public domain due to the age of the original artwork.