Explore the Arles about the Periods of this artwork, Wheat Fields.
Van Gogh was about 35 years of age when he moved to Arles in southern France.  There he was at the height of his career, producing some of his best work. His paintings represented different aspects of ordinary life, such as Harvest at La Crau.  The sunflower paintings, some of the most recognizable of Van Gogh's paintings, were created in this time.  He worked continuously to keep up with his ideas for paintings.  This is likely one of Van Gogh's happier periods of life.  He is confident, clear-minded and seemingly content.In a letter to his brother, Theo, he wrote, "Painting as it is now, promises to become more subtle – more like music and less like sculpture – and above all, it promises color." As a means of explanation, Van Gogh explains that being like music means being comforting.A prolific time, in less than 444 days van Gogh made about 100 drawings and produced more than 200 paintings.  Yet, he still found time and energy to write more than 200 letters.  While he painted quickly, mindful of the pace farmers would need to work in the hot sun, he spent time thinking about his paintings long before he put brush to canvas.His work during this period represents a culmination of influences, such as Impressionism, Neo-Impressionism and Japanese art (see Japonism).  His style evolved into one with vivid colors and energetic, impasto brush strokes.
France Theo Impressionism Arles Neo-Impressionism impasto La Crau sunflower paintings Japonism