Catalogue F423 | Medium Oil on canvas Year June 1888 | |
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Dimensions 82 cm × 65 cm (32 in × 26 in) Similar Vincent van Gogh artwork, Other artwork | ||
The Zouave is the subject of two paintings made by Vincent van Gogh in Arles.
Van Gogh was excited to have a model for a portrait, and painted two of the Zouave soldier in June 1888. Van Gogh described him as a boy, though he is portrayed as older, with a small face, large neck and intense eyes. A half-length portrait, Le Zouave (half-figure), was made of the tanned man with bright colors he called a "savage combination of incongruous tones". The Zouave's uniform was blue with red-orange braids, a red cap and two yellow stars on his chest, all placed against the background of a green door and orange bricks.
Van Gogh was unsatisfied with the painting, he described it as "ugly and unsuccessful", but thought the challenge might expand his artistic range. He made a further drawing, with which he was not particularly pleased, and a painting Le Zouave of the soldier against a white wall.