Analysis of materials and artistic techniques in Vincent van Gogh's Country Huts Among Trees

Abstract

A multi-disciplinary research campaign was conducted on the painting Country Huts Among Trees by Vincent van Gogh. The painting belongs to the John Paul II Collection and is currently on deposit at the Museum of John Paul II and Primate Wyszyński, owned by the Archdiocese of Warsaw. The painting, considered a significant work from Van Gogh's early Dutch period, reflects his mastery of oil technique and his fascination with rural life. It is characterized by a specific, dark and subdued palette that conveys the expressive and dramatic mood of the landscape from the early 1880s.

This contribution presents the findings from the scientific research campaign carried out on the painting during 2021–2024. The analyses included technical photography in visible, infrared, and ultraviolet ranges, followed by spectroscopic and microscopic analyses. These investigations revealed the presence of pigments such as bone black, carbon black, chrome yellow, iron-based earth pigments, lead white, Prussian blue, and vermilion.

This investigation has been very challenging due to the absence of any work by Vincent van Gogh in Polish museum collections. However, analysis of the painting has provided an interesting opportunity to study Van Gogh's materials and techniques within a broader context of art history and painting technology. The results have provided support to art historical research related to the painting's authenticity and significance.