Letters from Provence By Vincent van Gogh

Van Gogh spent the last two years of his life in Provence, where he painted his greatest pictures, and this book tells the artist's own story of his most creative period. It reproduces extensive extracts from his correspondence and is illustrated with his paintings, drawings and facsimile letters. Van Gogh's letters are a testimony to his struggle to survive and work. Here, the combination of letters and illustrations, concentrating on the period when he painted his greatest works, aims to provide an insight into his daily life in Arles and St-Remy, his spiritual torment and the process of artistic creation itself. The author is an Observer journalist specializing in the arts, and has published four previous books, including Young Vincent: The Story of Van Gogh's Years in England. Letters from Provence

This was very good I have to admit but very sad at the same time. It’s a series of letters from Van Gogh to primarily his brother but also his sister, mother, Paul Gauguin and a few others. The letters are short or have been abridged. They hint towards his demise that Van Gogh suffered in the last couple of years of his life. He had a few big setbacks in his short life and a few rejections in love and with work which ultimately led him towards a troubled state of mind and with him cutting off part of his ear. He staved in Provence in south France and then right at the end when things got really bad went back to his brother in Paris but lived just outside in a village slightly to the north. He would sketch the pictures in these letters to his family and friends before drawing them. Having read this now I can’t look at one of his picture without seeing traces of the madness that were plaguing him. Painting kept him sane in between the relapses he unfortunately suffered. His brother died not long after he died also. Art, Memoir, Biography Finally got round to finishing this book. It was lovely to remember some of the Provencial landscapes in the colors described by Van Gogh and to be transported back in that wonderland for a little while. Also got to brush off my french. Art, Memoir, Biography Is it important to know more about an artist other than the sum of their work? I think so, and these letters written by Van Gogh give insight into the life and thoughts and friendships of this inspiring artist. Art, Memoir, Biography Outstanding and eye opening. I appreciated how the author complied the letters with connections to the sketches and pieces created at that time in van Gough's life. The beginning is organized well identifying the family members, friends, and important figures mentioned in the letters. That was a helpful reference. At the end there are suggestions for travel to the Provence region. The next time I see a van Gough painting live, I will have a deeper understanding. Heck, the calendar in my classroom features some paintings I learned more about in this book. A great reference book and one to explore again. Art, Memoir, Biography

summary Letters from Provence

I love this man Art, Memoir, Biography As far as insight into Van Gogh's life and work can go, the excerpts of these letters paired with brilliant captions of his paintings and section introductions comprehensively showcases a snapshot into his life and motivations. Art, Memoir, Biography Will occasionally brings a bunch of art books home from the library, and this one was in the most recent stack. I picked it up and really, really enjoyed reading it. The letters are accompanied by fascinating (and incredible) sketches that Van Gogh included in his letters - mostly to his brother, Theo - explaining the pieces he's working on. The book also shows the finished pieces... There's something really interesting about the general perception of Van Gogh's life (he was a crazy guy who cut his ear off -- which is pretty much all I knew about his life) and the reality of his struggles. He was so committed to his work, and longed for a sense of community in which artists could support each other financially, emotionally and by sharing technical skills and techniques. The letters in this book prompted me to read a recent New Yorker article about Van Gogh, which questions what REALLY happened the night of the fateful ear cutting (some argue Gauguin cut it off with his fencing sword), and so many other assumptions that have been made about Van Gogh. And this took me off onto another path, reading online about the theory that some hold that Van Gogh did not kill himself, but was actually murdered (there are some really compelling arguments here...), including a very detailed account written by the last surviving person to witness Van Gogh's death (at the time, the woman was the eight-year-old daughter of the inn keeper where Van Gogh was staying, and where he eventually died after supposedly shooting himself in the stomach -- though some accounts also say it was his chest). Just one of those rabbit holes that keeps going, and makes me realize that if I had all the time in the world to explore things like this, how much more there is out there to discover! All of this to say... good book. Art, Memoir, Biography 谁的爱人走了 请你告诉我如何遗忘 人从来就是孤独/孤独/孤独/孤独/孤独…

Art, Memoir, Biography I've always felt a bit of a kindred spirit thing with Van Gogh. When I saw his paintings at the Musee d'Orsay in Paris I got a little bit teary. You could get so close to his paintings and it was a really big deal.

This was an eye opener. I didn't know as much about his as I should and his letters shout loneliness at you. It's quite heart breaking. His whole world seemed to be the painting. That's all he had and I still wonder, what was the final straw? What would modern day mental health care say his problem was?

I loved this and want to read more about him. I'm gutted he will never know how much of a painting 'rock star' he became. Art, Memoir, Biography