artsof: Vincent Van Gogh | John Russell | 1886 | Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam“The Australia

artsof:

Vincent Van Gogh | John Russell | 1886 | Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

“The Australian painter John Russell got to know Van Gogh in Paris. It was there that he made this dark, realistic portrait, which contrasts sharply with many of Vincent’s self-portraits. Russell inscribed it “Vincent amitie” (in friendship). A mutual friend felt that Russell’s portrait was the best likeness of Van Gogh. “Take good care of my portrait by Russell, which means a lot to me.” Vincent wrote some years later to his brother Theo from the asylum”