Musée d’Orsay · 1889
Self-portrait
Vincent van Gogh
Painted in September 1889 at the Saint-Rémy asylum, this may be Van Gogh's very last self-portrait — he shows himself with a steady, direct gaze against a background of swirling turquoise brushwork, his stillness contrasting sharply with the restless energy surrounding him.
Why it matters
Painted in September 1889 at the Saint-Rémy asylum, this may be Van Gogh's very last self-portrait — he shows himself with a steady, direct gaze against a background of swirling turquoise brushwork, his stillness contrasting sharply with the restless energy surrounding him.
Look closer
Compare the calm, carefully controlled lines of his face with the wild, arabesque patterns of the background — Van Gogh keeps himself still while letting the space around him seem to churn and breathe.
Van Gogh painted around 35 self-portraits over his career, largely because he was too poor to pay models — this is thought to be the final one he ever made.
Value context
ELYIO places this work in an indicative editorial context of €55–80 million.
The museum work is not for sale. This is ELYIO indicative context—not an appraisal, insurance value or offer.