Vincent van Gogh Print, Two Crabs (1889)

Two Crabs by Vincent van Gogh

Two Crabs, painted in Arles in 1889, turns an unusual still-life subject into a vivid experiment in colour and line. Two reddish-brown crabs lie against a broad green background, their angular legs and curved shells creating a compact composition with exceptionally strong complementary colour contrast.

Van Gogh most likely painted the work shortly after returning from hospital in January 1889, when he wrote of beginning again with one or two still lifes. The closely related A Crab on its Back may have been produced at approximately the same time.

Red Against Green

Van Gogh was deeply interested in the way complementary colours intensify one another. The red-orange shells stand dramatically against the blue-green background, making both colour groups appear more vivid.

The apparently simple ground is built from broad visible strokes rather than a flat painted surface, so colour and brushwork remain active across the entire composition.

Japanese Art and Two Crabs

Japanese prints were another important influence. Van Gogh studied Japanese images of marine life, including crab subjects by artists such as Hokusai and Kunisada.

The flattened space, strong contour lines and unusual placement of the animals reflect his fascination with Japanese approaches to composition while remaining unmistakably transformed through his own brushwork and colour.

Two Crabs Prints for Distinctive Interiors

This unusual Van Gogh still life suits kitchens, dining rooms, studies and eclectic gallery walls. Red, rust and green tones pair effectively with olive, dark green, terracotta, cream and natural timber.

It is an excellent choice for anyone looking beyond Van Gogh’s familiar sunflowers and landscapes towards one of his more unexpected subjects.

About Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) continually experimented with still life throughout his career. Flowers, fruit, shoes, books and even crabs allowed him to investigate colour relationships and painting technique without depending on professional models.

Vincent van Gogh’s Painting Style

Van Gogh combined strong complementary colour with highly visible marks. In Two Crabs, the contrast between red and green creates immediate visual intensity, while short strokes and strong outlines give the animals a graphic quality influenced partly by Japanese art.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Van Gogh paint Two Crabs?

The painting dates from 1889 and was most likely created in Arles early that year.

Did Van Gogh really paint the same crab twice?

The National Gallery considers it possible that Van Gogh used the same crab twice, turning it over to create the appearance of two animals.

Was Two Crabs influenced by Japanese art?

Yes. Van Gogh admired Japanese woodblock prints, and Japanese depictions of crabs helped inform the painting’s flattened composition and linear treatment.

Where is the original Two Crabs?

The painting is on loan to the National Gallery in London from a private collection.

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