Girl in White, 1890 by Vincent van Gogh, oil on canvas

On May 21, 1890, Van Gogh arrived in Auvers, a small town outside Paris. His brother Theo, concerned about his health, had suggested he put himself under the care of Paul Gachet, a homeopathic physician and avid art patron. From his arrival in Auvers to his death on July 29, Van Gogh made about seventy paintings—more than one per day—and many drawings.

In mid-June he wrote Gauguin: "I am trying to do some studies of wheat . . . . nothing but ears of wheat with green-blue stalks, long leaves like ribbons of green shot with pink, ears that are just turning yellow, edged with the pale pink of the dusty bloom—a pink bindweed at the bottom twisted round a stem. Over that, against a vivid yet tranquil background, I should like to paint some portraits." In fact, two paintings show this same young woman: "a peasant woman, big yellow hat with a knot of sky-blue ribbons . . . "