Portrait of Vincent van Gogh — John Russell in Paris (1886)
Copper beard, quick blue gaze, a head haloed by vibrating strokes. In 1886, Australian painter John Peter Russell portrayed his friend Vincent van Gogh with crackling colour and tender clarity—an early likeness that feels both intimate and electrified by Paris light.
Why it captivates
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Friendship on canvas — a rare contemporary’s view of Van Gogh, alive with empathy.
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Chromatic charge — cool blues and teals sparking against warm flesh and copper hair.
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Expressive line — energetic strokes that hum without losing likeness.
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Modern profile — classical poise filtered through avant-garde colour.
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Art-historical resonance — Paris, 1886: Van Gogh before Arles, already luminous.
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Statement artwork — a compelling focal point for studies, libraries, and living rooms.
What you’ll see
A close, shoulder-length portrait: Van Gogh turned slightly, red-gold beard catching light; clear, searching eyes set against a field of shifting blue-green strokes; dark jacket and collar anchoring the composition. Up close: brisk, decisive brushwork. From a step back: a calm, radiant presence.
A richer historical frame
Painted in Paris in 1886, Russell’s portrait predates Van Gogh’s southern period and sits within a circle of artists trading colour, technique, and ideas. It’s among the most intimate early images of Van Gogh by another hand—memorably modern in palette and humane in tone.
Choose your finish
🌟 Heavyweight Paper (160 gsm matte)
Archival-grade, smooth matte stock ideal for framing under glass. Crisp detail, minimal glare.
💎 Laminated (True Encapsulation)
Sealed in 2 × 80-micron gloss laminate, edge-to-edge. Durable, wipe-clean—perfect for busy spaces.
🪵 Laminated + Timber Hang Rails (Ready to hang)
Lacquered natural timber rails with fitted hanging cord; no frame required.
Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.
🏆 Archival Canvas (395 gsm HP Professional Matte)
Museum-quality texture with pigment-based, fade-resistant inks for rich tone and fine detail.
🪵 Canvas + Timber Hang Rails (Gallery-ready)
As above, supplied with lacquered natural timber rails and hanging cord.
Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.
Size (W × H)
662 × 841 mm (approx. 26.06 × 33.11 in)
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Orientation: Portrait
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Aspect ratio: ~0.787 : 1
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Nearest standard frame: A0 portrait (841 × 1189 mm) with a custom mat, or a custom 662 × 841 mm frame
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Framing tips:
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Classic look: cut the mat window to ~658 × 837 mm to overlap edges by 2–3 mm.
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Contemporary look: float-mount in an A0 frame for a generous gallery reveal.
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Custom sizing: Available on request (alternative aspect ratios or added white border).
Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Portrait of Vincent van Gogh |
| Painted | 1886 |
| Historical Context | Paris portrait by John Peter Russell; early likeness of Van Gogh by a close friend |
| Commission | Studio work (no formal institutional commission recorded) |
| Print Size | 662 mm (W) × 841 mm (H) |
| Available Finishes | Paper, Laminated, Laminated + Timber Hang Rails, Canvas, Canvas + Timber Hang Rails |
| Paper Weight | 160 gsm archival matte |
| Laminate | 2 × 80-micron gloss (true encapsulation) |
| Canvas Weight | 395 gsm HP Professional Matte Canvas |
| Inks | Pigment-based, fade-resistant |
| Optional Hang Rails | Natural timber, lacquered; fitted hanging cord (allow up to 10 working days) |
| Origin | Printed in Australia |
Who it’s for
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Van Gogh admirers and students of modern art
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Collectors & stylists seeking intimate, character-rich portraits
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Educators & galleries exploring Paris’s 1880s art scene
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Gift-givers celebrating studios, graduations, and milestones
Our Commitment
Every print is produced locally in Australia on premium substrates with careful colour management, then checked and packed by hand so it arrives ready to impress. From studio to wall, we stand behind the craftsmanship and historical integrity of your piece.
Bring a vivid, early vision of Van Gogh into your space—order your fine-art print of John Russell’s Portrait of Vincent van Gogh today.
