In 1890, Vincent van Gogh's art reached its final and most intense phase, characterized by a flurry of creative activity and some of the most emotionally charged works of his career. This year was marked by both artistic triumph and personal tragedy, as van Gogh continued to battle his mental health issues, ultimately leading to his untimely death in July 1890. After spending much of 1889 at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, van Gogh moved to Auvers-sur-Oise in May 1890. This small town near Paris was where van Gogh spent the last months of his life, under the care of Dr. Paul Gachet, a physician who was also an amateur artist and supporter of van Gogh. Despite his ongoing struggles with mental health, van Gogh found new inspiration in the landscapes of Auvers and painted with an extraordinary sense of urgency. During his brief stay in Auvers, van Gogh produced more than 70 paintings, many of which are now considered masterpieces (Encyclopedia Britannica) (The Metropolitan Museum of Art). One of the most iconic works from this period is Wheatfield with Crows (1890). This painting is often interpreted as a reflection of van Gogh’s inner turmoil and foreshadows his tragic end. The composition is dominated by a vast, stormy sky filled with dark crows flying over a wheat field, with a winding path leading into the distance. The dramatic contrasts in color, the intensity of the brushstrokes, and the ominous presence of the crows all contribute to the painting’s powerful emotional impact. Some art historians have suggested that this painting may have been van Gogh’s final work, symbolizing his feelings of isolation and despair (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) (vangoghgallery). Another significant work from 1890 is Portrait of Dr. Gachet, one of van Gogh’s most famous and emotionally resonant portraits. The painting depicts Dr. Paul Gachet, who van Gogh described as having "the heart of an artist." The portrait is characterized by its melancholic tone, with Gachet resting his head on his hand in a gesture of contemplation and sadness. Van Gogh’s use of color, particularly the blues and purples, enhances the emotional depth of the portrait, making it a poignant reflection of both the sitter’s and the artist’s emotional states (Encyclopedia Britannica) (Van Gogh Biography). In addition to these works, van Gogh also painted several other important landscapes and portraits during his time in Auvers. The Church at Auvers (1890) is another masterpiece from this period, depicting the village church with its Gothic architecture and dramatic use of color. The painting’s skewed perspective and swirling brushstrokes give the church an almost otherworldly presence, reflecting van Gogh’s emotional intensity and his unique vision of the world around him (The Metropolitan Museum of Art). Despite the artistic achievements of this period, van Gogh’s mental health continued to decline. On July 27, 1890, van Gogh suffered a gunshot wound to the chest, widely believed to have been self-inflicted, and he died two days later on July 29. His death marked the end of a brief but extraordinarily productive period, leaving behind a legacy that would only grow in significance after his death (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) (Van Gogh Biography). 1890 was a year of both great artistic accomplishment and profound personal struggle for Vincent van Gogh. The works he produced during his final months in Auvers-sur-Oise are among the most powerful and enduring in his oeuvre, capturing the intensity of his emotions and his deep connection to the natural world. Today, these paintings are celebrated as some of the most important contributions to modern art, reflecting the genius and tragedy of one of history’s greatest artists.