# Spectators in the Arena at Arles [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [GOGH, Vincent van]() - Date: 1851-1900 - Technique: Oil on canvas, 75 x 94 cm cm ## Commentary Spectators in the Arena at Arles December 1888, Arles Oil on canvas, 75 x 94 cm cm The Hermitage, St. Petersburg <a href="\#" onClick="w=window.open \('/database/glossary/note02.html', 'newWin', 'scrollbars=yes,status=no,dependent=yes,screenX=0,screenY=0,width=300,height=400'\);w.opener=this;w.focus\(\);return false">Catalogue numbers:</a> F 548, JH 1653. In his letters written from Arles, van Gogh often shared his impression of attending the bullfights performed in the Roman arena of the city. He was especially fascinated with the motley crowd of spectators, a subject that takes over this work. Abrupt flashes of colour create a sense of alarm that seems to have affected the woman in the bottom left-hand corner who turns away from the view. ## Related artworks - [A Cottage on the Heath and "The Protestant Barn"]() - [A Lane in the Public Garden at Arles]() - [A Meadow in the Mountains: Le Mas de Saint-Paul]() - [A Pair of Leather Clogs]() - [A Pair of Shoes]() - [A Pair of Shoes]() - [A Workman's Meal-Break]() - [Agostina Segatori in the Café du Tambourin]() - [Almond Tree in Blossom]() - [Apricot Trees in Blossom]() - [At Eternity's Gate \("Worn Out"\)]() - [Avenue of Plane Trees near Arles Station]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()