Vincent Van Gogh’s painting “Corridor in the Asylum” depicts the asylum in St. Rémy where he spent a year towards the end of his life. The oil color and essence over black chalk on pink laid paper was painted during his confinement and is considered one of his most powerful depictions of the asylum. It elicits feelings of loneliness and separation with one tiny figure seen glimpsed in the distance.
This artwork is part of a series of paintings and drawings Van Gogh created while in the asylum, where he completed over 2100 works including 860 oil paintings and 1,300 sketches, drawings, and watercolors. He is known for his bold colors and expressive brushwork that contributed to the foundations of modern art. Despite this legacy, he struggled with mental illness, depression, and poverty throughout his life.
Unfortunately, Van Gogh died at age 37 following years of mental health challenges. Today “Corridor in the Asylum” stands as a testament to both Van Gogh’s artistic abilities as well as his personal struggles with mental illness during a time when it was often overlooked or misunderstood by society.
