The Moulin de la Galette

Vincent van Gogh

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Keywords: MoulinGalette

Work Overview

The Moulin de la Galette
Vincent van Gogh
Date: 1886; Paris, France *
Style: Post-Impressionism
Genre: cityscape
Media: oil, canvas
Dimensions: 46.5 x 38 cm
Location: Alte Nationalgalerie, Berlin, Germany


Author Émile Zola wrote in 1876, "We rushed off into the countryside to celebrate the joy of not having to listen to any more talk about politics," which often meant reflection of France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. Montmartre, attainable by a train ride or a one-hour walk, was still a village with orchards, shops and two remaining windmills.


As the nearby fields were replaced with housing and factories, Nicholas Charles Debray sought commercial opportunities to remain a going concern. One of the windmills was turned into a viewing tower and a dance hall was opened adjacently. People came to the relaxed, popular Moulin de la Galette for entertainment and dancing.


Over its history, the building has experienced a wide range of uses: open-air cafe, music-hall, television studios and restaurant. It is now a private property. The windmill Radet, however, marks the entrance to a bistro named Le Moulin de la Galette.