Crab on its Back
Vincent van Gogh · 1887
Why it's great
A crab lies on its back, its claws and legs curled, in a few strokes of orange and green. Van Gogh was inspired by Japanese prints and painted it in Paris. It's a quick but lively study. It shows he could find wonder in simple things.
Where to see it
📍 Van Gogh MuseumAmsterdam, Netherlands
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Vincent van Gogh was born in a small village in the Netherlands and worked as a teacher and art dealer before becoming a painter at age 27. He lived in the Netherlands, Belgium, Paris, and finally the sunny south of France, where his colors grew brighter and bolder. He painted more than 800 paintings in about a decade, yet sold almost none while alive. After his death at 37, his brother's family helped make him one of the most loved artists in history.
