In my last post I mentioned that the last two years of
Vincent van Gogh’s life were his most prolific.
During those last years he lived in Arles and St. Remy in Provence and
Auvers in Normandy. My last post discussed his time in Arles before moving to
St. Remy, where he lived from May 1889-May 1990.
"Garden at Saint-Paul-de-Mausole"by Vincent van Gogh, 1889, oil on canvas
When van Gogh arrived in St. Remy he entered the asylum of
Saint-Paul-de–Mausole. Because of his
fragile mental health van Gogh was not permitted to leave the grounds of the
asylum. It’s walled gardens, filled with pine trees, lilacs, roses and irises,
gave van Gogh a peaceful place to paint directly from nature. He wrote his
brother Theo “When you receive the canvases I’ve done in the garden you’ll see
that I’m not too melancholy here”. The masterpieces he created on the asylum
grounds include “The Irises” and “Starry Night”.
Many of the paintings van Gogh created in St. Remy are from
direct observation. However “Starry
Night”, which represents the nighttime view from his hospital room, was painted
during the day and from memory.
Considered by many to be van Gogh’s most important work “Starry Night” shows
his comfort with using the landscape to inspire his imagination.
"Starry Night" by Vincent van Gogh, 1889, oil on canvas.
After a few months van Gogh was allowed beyond the asylum
grounds to paint in the surrounding countryside. The resulting masterpieces include
“Olive Trees” and “Cypresses”.
"Olive Trees" by Vincent van Gogh, 1889, oil on canvas.
From his room van Gogh painted some of his most beloved
still lives including the “Still Life: Vase with Pink Roses”. The roses were originally pink and contrasted
with the stark green background. Over
time the pink has faded and left a stunning, subtle painting of white
roses.
The asylum at Saint-Paul-de-Mausole is still in existence
and open to the public. I visited there
in the spring of 2012 and was able to walk the lovely gardens that inspired van
Gogh. I also visited his small room where so many masterpieces were created!
View of the garden at Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, 2012. Photo by Marie Dauenheimer.
In May of 1890 van Gogh decided to leave the asylum at St.
Remy and move north. Afraid that living
in Paris would be too difficult he sought the council of painter Camille Pissarro. Pissarro suggested van Gogh
move to Auvers-sur-Oise in Normandy, about 20 miles from Paris. It was here that he would become a patient of Dr. Gachet, live out the last months of his life, and experience his most
prolific painting interval.
For more information about visiting St. Remy and the asylum
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187256-d246640-r136912609-St_Paul_de_Mausolee-Saint_Remy_de_Provence_Bouches_du_Rhone_Provence.html
I highly recommend touring Arles and St. Remy with Marlene!
