Book to Read: Starry Night, Van Gogh at the Asylum

Vincent Van Gogh is a fascinating figure. Learn about his time in a mental institution in Saint Remy de Provence with this book Starry Night, Van Gogh at the Asylum.

Van Gogh in Saint Remy de Provence

I have to admit that I didn’t really appreciate the works of Van Gogh before I moved to Provence. I found the bright colours challenging. However, now that I live here, I have a profound love for Van Gogh’s works! I just can’t get enough of them. The contrasty, textured paintings perfectly depict this area of Provence. Thanks to this new book, I understand more about Van Gogh’s mental struggles and appreciate his paintings even more.

Martin Bailey is a Van Gogh expert who studied this famous artist’s period at the Saint Paul de Mausole hospital. The book covers the year that Vincent Van Gogh spent in St Remy de Provence as a patient of this institution. This year was prolific for the artist – he completed 150 paintings plus drawings. He was allowed out of the hospital during the daytime to paint and sketch. Walk around St Remy to see information panels with images of the famous canvases.

Manic Brilliance

Van Gogh’s cut off his ear in Arles after an argument with Paul Gaughin. This episode was the tipping point for his brother Theo who encouraged Vincent to leave Arles and to the medical care at Saint Paul de Mausole. The crazed episodes did not end there, and the book argues that today Vincent Van Gogh might be diagnosed with signs of epilepsy and bipolar disorder. The legacy of Vincent Van Gogh lives on in paintings such as Starry Night that he completed during that tumultuous time.

Visit Van Gogh in the Alpilles

Contact Ashley at Curious Provence for a private tour.

Take a self-guided walk around St Remy (map available at the tourist office) to see the panels depicting the Van Gogh paintings. There is also an audio guide called the Van Gogh Walk that you can rent.

Watch the video (about 12 minutes long) at the Musée Estrine and Van Gogh Interpretation Centre
8 rue Estrine
13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Tel: +33 (0)4 90 92 34 72

Saint Paul de Mausole (website)
Avenue Vincent Van Gogh
13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Tel: +33 (0)4 90 92 77 00

To buy the book click here.

On the trail of Vincent Van Gogh.

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Tags:Artists,Books,Vincent Van Gogh

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Ashley Tinker

Ashley was born and raised in Montréal, Canada. She has always been drawn to the history, way of life and beauty of Europe. Her feelings for Europe were reconfirmed while studying art in Florence, Italy. Ashley says that stone buildings, colourful shutters and terra cotta tile rooftops fill her dreams and now her days.

Ashley moved to Provence in 2014 with her partner Robin (he also shares her Francophile passions). They are in search of the French joie de vivre, which they find at every turn in the local markets and natural beauty of Provence. This couple are indulging in local olives and wine as the Provencal sunshine changes craggy rocks into things of beauty.

You can see all of Ashley's blog posts on Curious Provence.

Take a look at Ashley's beautiful fine art photography on her Photographer in Provence website.