Last week, during the inaugural auction at Christie’s new Asia Pacific headquarters, Vincent van Gogh’s “Anchored Boats” fetched an astonishing HKD 250 million (around USD 32.16 million), setting a new auction record for the artist in Asia. This remarkable sale surpassed van Gogh’s previous record of HKD 71 million, achieved in 2021 for “Still Life: Vase with Flowers and Orchids” at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong. Both of these pieces fall within van Gogh’s “Paris Period,” a key phase in his artistic evolution that marked what many consider a golden age for him.
Van Gogh, who hailed from the Netherlands, initially created works that featured darker tones and a focus on rural life. His brother Theo, who sold his paintings in Paris, recognized the notable difference between these earlier pieces and the vibrant Impressionist style that was on the rise. Encouraged by Theo, van Gogh made the move to Paris in 1886 to immerse himself in this innovative artistic scene.
“Anchored Boats” was painted during van Gogh’s transformative two years in Paris, a period that significantly altered the direction of his work. In 1887, he ventured to Asnières, a developing suburban area along the Seine River, where he produced a series of important landscape paintings. Asnières became a favorite retreat for sailing enthusiasts and those looking to escape the bustle of Paris during the summer. Here, van Gogh synthesized the artistic influences he had absorbed in Paris, creating the unique style for which he is now celebrated.
During his time in Paris, van Gogh completed three sets of triptychs, featuring works arranged in threes using canvases of similar sizes and a consistent horizontal layout. These triptychs depicted idyllic small towns along the Seine River, including scenes from the nearby industrial district of Clichy, the charming area of Asnières, and the lush island of La Grande Jatte. “Anchored Boats” is part of the Asnières series, with the other two pieces currently residing in the Kunsthaus Zurich and the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.
The painting captures the bright summer light, showcasing van Gogh’s masterful blend of Impressionism and Pointillism techniques to portray nature’s ephemeral beauty. Research suggests that he began this series in Asnières in early May 1887, while residing in Montmartre, only about 5 kilometers away. He could easily reach the location with his painting supplies in under an hour, thanks to his brisk walking pace.
After his Parisian years, van Gogh relocated to Provence, where he further developed his richly colored and dynamic style. Scholars argue that the cultural and natural splendor of Paris was instrumental in inspiring van Gogh to make this pivotal move in his artistic path. His friend Emile Bernard noted the significance of the Seine River paintings, stating, “This is a prelude to the symphony of van Gogh’s future palette, as he was exploring the instrument that belonged to him.”
