The Zouave, Arles 1888 - Vincent Van Gogh

This is a portrait that Van Gogh found very hard to paint because of the difficulty of putting together the strong colours of the uniform that contrasted with the ruddy brickwork beneath his feet. Certainly the red fez, the piping on the dark blue jacket and the soldier's suntanned face create sharp colour contrasts that could easily flatten or break up the portrait.