A Man and a Woman Seen from the Back 1886 is a painting made by a Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh, who is a famous post-impressionist painter and the pioneer of Expressionism. His works deeply influenced the 20th century art. Van Gogh oil paintings like The Sunflower, Starry Night and Cafe Terrace at Night get most recognized now.

In 1886, Van Gogh came to Paris and there he pursued with Impressionist and Impressionist artist. This experience broad Van Gogh’s eyesight and thus brought about his changes in his painting. He changed his painting style from dull, dark environment and colorless to bright and strong contrasting. This painting shows us in a dull atmosphere that expressed the heart and soul of Van Gogh at that time. Thus it may be painted before he did change his work.

As what he himself said, he does not seek accurate painting but wants to express himself more forcefully. Maybe this painting wants to tell us that people always look forward and do not care so much about the last while looking others’ past and trying to find anything beneficial. Or perhaps he just saw harmonious while two people hug. It could be possible that when two people decide to be together, they have to accept each other’s past like leaving the whole back scenery to each other while hugging. Whatever it wants to show us, that’s what Van Gogh wants to express his feeling not just the two painting subjects.