Houses Seen from the Back

After five years of teaching himself how to paint, Vincent van Gogh went to Antwerp on 28 November 1885. He wanted to try to earn money with his work and needed contact with art and other artists. In Antwerp Vincent moved into a room in Lange Beeldekensstraat. This view was painted from a window in the stairwell of the building. Van Gogh aims to capture the atmosphere of the place. He seems little concerned with using the correct perspective, as his incorrect rendering of the windows to the left and rear demonstrate.