Vincent Van Gogh’s The Road Menders is a Post-Impressionist painting from 1889 that depicts the repaving of a street in Saint-Rémy. The painting shows figures on the left-hand side going about their day while workers attend to construction works on the right-hand side. Van Gogh painted two versions of this artwork in 1889, one executed plein air and another in the studio. Both works depict similar themes but have different styles due to where they were created.
Another painting called The Large Plane Trees, also known as Road Menders at Saint-Rémy, was done by Van Gogh during this period as well. This particular piece follows a similar pattern with men working and others strolling along the road. It must be noted that Van Gogh reportedly struggled with his mental health during this time period.
The Road Menders can now be viewed at the Phillips Collection in Washington D.C., where it is considered a public domain treasure. It is interesting to observe how Van Gogh used light colors and brushstrokes to create a scene full of life despite its static setting. This piece of art is an excellent representation of everyday life during that period, specifically showing men working hard and others going about their business seemingly unfazed by them.
