La Pietà
Painted at Saint-Rémy after a print by Delacroix, Van Gogh’s Pietà transforms a traditional lament into pure color and line. Christ’s body is modeled in cool blues and greens; Mary’s robe flares in orange and ultramarine. Thick contour, short directional strokes, and a crown of thorns drawn like a sunburst turn sorrow into incandescent faith. It is a homage to Delacroix and a confession in paint—copying as revelation.
Why This Artwork Is Important
- Van Gogh’s profound reinterpretation of a Delacroix devotional image through expressive color.
- Key example of his Saint-Rémy period—bold contour, complementary contrasts, spiritual intensity.
What to Look For
- Complementary clash: blue-green flesh against orange and ultramarine drapery.
- Radiating ‘thorn’ halo drawn in urgent, spiky lines.
- Short, directional strokes that model form and emotion simultaneously.
Fun Fact
Van Gogh made versions after prints when confined—he called such works ‘translations’ rather than copies.
Last Minute Offers
Find the cheapest last-minute offers to visit Modern Art Collection and see La Pietà with your own eyes!
| Date | Tickets | Tours |
|---|---|---|
| Buy for €62 | Buy for €89 | |
| Buy for €56 | Buy for €64 | |
| Buy for €44 | Buy for €76 | |
| Buy for €44 | Buy for €75 | |
| Buy for €48 | Buy for €89 | |
| Buy for €48 | Buy for €77 | |
| Buy for €65 | Buy for €98 |
