A Glimpse into Van Gogh’s Paris: Our New 1887 Map Acquisition

We are delighted to announce that The Van Gogh Academy has just acquired a rare 1887 map of Paris, published by Lanée Éditeur. This impressive cartographic piece is particularly meaningful because it captures the city’s layout in the exact year Vincent van Gogh was living and working there. At first glance, it’s striking to envision Van Gogh – easel and paints in hand – wandering these streets, climbing the hills of Montmartre, and living with his brother Theo on Rue Lepic. It’s equally poignant to spot the Gare du Nord, the station where he first arrived in 1886 and where he departed for Auvers in May 1890.

For The Van Gogh Academy, this map is more than a historical artifact; it is a vivid portal to Van Gogh’s daily life and movements during a pivotal moment in his artistic journey. Our research relies on tangible documents like these to shed new light on how Van Gogh experienced the city’s boulevards, cafés, and hidden corners. Having such a richly detailed map in our collection allows us to pinpoint the exact places he may have stood while sketching or gathering inspiration, and it strengthens our understanding of the social and cultural environment he inhabited. This acquisition will play a key role in our forthcoming exhibitions, educational programs, and scholarly publications – offering students, art lovers, and researchers alike a rare chance to explore Paris as Van Gogh himself knew it.