Van Gogh's Unusual 1889 Masterpiece 'Champs Pres Des Alpilles' To Be Auctioned for the First Time at New York City's Rockefeller Center

Champs près des Alpilles, 1889 by Vincent van Gogh will be a major centrepiece of the May 20th Century Art Evening Sale at Rockefeller Center in New York City. The renowned artist painted this unusual picture in November 1889.

Vanessa Fusco, Co-Head of Christie's New York 20th Century Evening Sale, said that Champs près des Alpilles epitomised Van Gogh's signature style with its gestural, expressive handling and strong, brilliant colour — a style that is recognised and respected worldwide.

Vanessa also mentioned that this extraordinary work of art was painted during Vincent's storied sojourn in a Saint-Rémy asylum, and later belonged to his friend Joseph Roulin, whose own image was captured by Vincent and now hangs in museums worldwide. 'Champs près des Alpilles' was inextricably linked to Vincent's own tragic biography, and it was a pleasure to bring this masterpiece to auction for the first time.

This vast panorama depicts an immense perspective spanning a vibrant green wheatfield with a stately tree in the foreground and the colossal Alpilles hills in the distance, all set against a citron-colored sky. It is one of Van Gogh's defining themes from this pivotal year. Van Gogh's mature style fully formed during his time in Saint-Rémy. 

He converted the environment around him into brilliant visions of often heightened colour expressed via more lively brushstrokes, both of which fill these works with a potent — and hugely influential — emotive charge. During this period of his life, he also painted The Starry Night. At this point, painting and nature took on a significant role in the artist's life.

According to the Christie's catalogue, the picture was once held by designer Yves Saint Laurent. Champs près des Alpilles will be on view in Taipei and Hong Kong, with highlights from the 20th Century Evening Sale, before returning to New York, where it will be on display at Christie's New York in advance of the May 2022 auction.