The Yellow House: Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Nine Turbulent Weeks in Arles
Contents:
Van Gogh arrived in Arles in February In May he moved into the Yellow House, and almost immediately started planning for visitors, especially fellow artists who would, as he imagined it, come together to collaborate and form a new artistic community. Gauguin was the artist he courted most enthusiastically. Why had Van Gogh settled in Arles in the first place?
Partly because the surrounding landscape, much of it flat, reclaimed marshland, would have reminded him of Dutch landscapes. Also, he craved the warmth of the south, as well as the clear light that, he felt, gave colors the brightness and flatness of his beloved Japanese prints. Gauguin finally came to Arles on October 23, Living such a claustrophobic life was bound to produce tension between two such different people. The two paintings, Gayford relates in one of my favorite passages of analysis in the book, sum up many of the differences and conflicts being played out between the two artists.
Interestingly, no photographs of Van Gogh from after the age of eighteen exist, only paintings. Gauguin painted his portrait at the beginning of December, titled Painter of Sunflowers. Tensions between Gauguin and Van Gogh continued to heighten, and on Sunday, December 23 came the decisive event. Rather than risk another confrontation, Gauguin chose to spend the night at a hotel. Later that evening, Van Gogh returned home and sliced off his left ear, or a good portion of it. After staunching the considerable flow of blood from the auricular artery , he wrapped the remains of the ear in some newspaper.
The Yellow House
His head and the wound hidden with a hat, he took the package to a local brothel and delivered it into the hands of a prostitute named Rachel. He continually saw his life through the prism of art and literature, and Gayford mentions two possible influences: Christ in the garden of Gethsemane, when St. Van Gogh himself claimed not to remember much of the incident, and was never able to explain what happened and why. I've had this book for a couple of years after picking up a hard copy in a local used bookstore.
Jan 29, Sarah rated it really liked it. Van Gogh, Gauguin and Nine Turbulent Weeks in Arles gives a great insight into the brief but highly significant period that two great modern artists, Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin spent working and living together in a small house in Arles. Van Gogh was overjoyed that Gauguin, the more successful and older of the two, had agreed to join his art colony; his dream was to gather together a close group of experimental artists.
The two men were barely apart, eating, painting and going to brothels together. However, their relationship was soon brought to breaking point as they quarrelled often. Ultimately, Gauguin decided to leave and Van Gogh cut off part of his own ear. The strength of The Yellow House is that it manages to be both analytical and evocative.
However despite the volume of information, The Yellow House remains highly personal. Gayford creates an atmosphere tinged with melancholy and claustrophobia, allowing the reader a greater insight into the plight of the largely unknown artists who are striving to make a name for themselves while struggling with their own personal demons. Indeed, the colour is intrinsic to the work.
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It is of course a pity, but it may have been necessary in order to keep printing costs down. It would have been a much bigger pity if the book had not been printed. The book also focuses more on Van Gogh than Gauguin.
- The Yellow House, Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Nine Turbulent Weeks in Arles by Martin Gayford.
- The Yellow House : Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Nine Turbulent Weeks in Arles (PB).
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This is hardly a criticism however. It also helps that his output at this time was the superior one. All in all, I very much enjoyed this book and would recommend The Yellow House to anyone interested in European art. Martin Gayford has done a great job reconstructing this highly significant historical and cultural moment, as well as providing great insight regarding the stormy friendship of the men behind the canvass. Apr 22, Nathan rated it it was ok Shelves: Despite its dry and perfunctory style, Martin Gayford's account of one of the most significant windows of time in art history is finely detailed and sharply focused.
It serves as an illuminating supplement to the broader and more well-known events leading up to Van Gogh's death, and casts some light on the artistic chemistry between him and Gauguin. It is, however, just a supplement.
Most of the narrative and chronological material has been covered elsewhere, many times. Unfortunately, this more Despite its dry and perfunctory style, Martin Gayford's account of one of the most significant windows of time in art history is finely detailed and sharply focused.
Unfortunately, this more extraneous material makes up the bulk of this dense little volume, and thus feels unnecessary if you're at all acquainted with the story or not interested in the extra detail this history provides. This is history by rote, rehashing a story told many times before, and not necessarily with better telling either. Feb 22, Hermien rated it it was amazing Shelves: I loved this book for many reasons.
It was an interesting insight into the relationship between Vincent and Gauguin and the influence they had on each other's art. I loved the pictures and analyses of the paintings and sketches, some of which I had not seen before, especially where a comparison was made between Vincent and Gaugin's paintings of the same subject at the same time.
The description of contemporary events like Theo watching the construction of the Eiffel Tower from his window and w I loved this book for many reasons. The description of contemporary events like Theo watching the construction of the Eiffel Tower from his window and writers like Zola and Guy de Maupassant also added to the overall picture. I particularly liked the theory that Vincent's action of cutting off his ear and giving it to a prostitute was influenced by what Jack the Ripper did to his prostitute victims.
Review: The Yellow House by Martin Gayford | Books | The Guardian
And one of Vincent's favourite paintings was the Jewish Bride by Rembrandt, which is also my favourite! Feb 17, StacyM rated it really liked it. P "Few people have left a fuller self-portrait in words than Vincent did. However by the end, I found myself savoring it and trying so hard to really understand Vincent.
From October to December , Paul Gauguin shared a home in Arles with Vincent van Gogh. This was, without doubt, the most celebrated cohabitation in art. bahana-line.com: The Yellow House: Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Nine Turbulent Weeks in I was not aware that these two artists shared a house in Arles for a brief.
This isn't for everyone though as it begins when Gauguin joins Vincent in Arles and delves into when and what they painted as well Vincent and Gaugin's influence on one another while they live in the yellow house. The termination of their compani P "Few people have left a fuller self-portrait in words than Vincent did. The termination of their companionship coincides with Vincent's famous descent into madness via self-mutilation. If that interests you, then I definitely recommend this novel! Because of the voluminous correspondence and careful research, the level of detail about their days is incredible.
It really allows you to imagine the vigorous work and unstable emotional dynamics of the household. The only way it could be substantially improved would be with full-color images of the relevant paintings. But, then the book would be wildly expensive to produce. Besides, this was a paperback. It's one of the few works of detailed art history that I've read, and it was really wonde Because of the voluminous correspondence and careful research, the level of detail about their days is incredible.
It's one of the few works of detailed art history that I've read, and it was really wonderful. I'm giving it four because the writing is fine, but unexceptional. It's the research and the story that are great. Oct 04, Ralph Britton rated it it was amazing Shelves: In contrast to the Taschen Complete Works of Van Gogh, which I read just before and which was informative, worthy and a bit dull, this is lively and inspirational. Gayford gives us insight after insight into both painters and encourages us to look again at their work and think about it.
I had not realised that Van Gogh had read and thought so deeply and incessantly about his art, or that he was formidably well educated, speaking and reading both English and French easily. You need a tablet to lo In contrast to the Taschen Complete Works of Van Gogh, which I read just before and which was informative, worthy and a bit dull, this is lively and inspirational. You need a tablet to look at the pictures if you read this book - the illustrations are black and white and very basic and the book makes you want to see the actual works discussed in detail and in colour.
Jul 29, Alex rated it really liked it Shelves: An interesting and detailed book- I learned a lot about Van Gogh and Gauguin as artists and as roommates. Some of the author's tangents and conjectures are distracting or off the mark, but it's still an engaging read. It didn't do much to change my mind about Gauguin, though. What a big-headed jerk. Plus his art's not that great. Feb 28, Bea rated it really liked it Shelves: I enjoyed reading it but thought it didn't add much to what I already knew about this period from reading the Van Gogh's letters. The book also would have been vastly improved if it had been illustrated in color rather than black and white.
Even the best descriptions of the paintings can't convey their power. Feb 02, Jan rated it it was amazing Shelves: Suggested by my nephew and his mom, Greg Christensen and Chris Gailey, and my daughter Katie, I knew this would be a good book. I couldn't put it down once I started reading.
Notify me of new comments via email. I just wish the author had stuck to the straight and narrow more, and edited out all the tangents! Thanks for telling us about the problem. Never a good sign! I had no idea that Van Gogh and Gauguin shared a house in France for a period of time.
Very informative, and an art education in itself. Greg wrote a blog http: As Pat points out, the pictures are in Black and White only. View all 6 comments. Apr 17, Mikayla Taflinger rated it liked it Shelves: The men were two fabulous painters with clashing personalities fighting at every turn Vincent acts more boy like and live more simple where Gauguin lives a more adult upscale lifestyle going to the bar and hanging out with prostitutes. But they learned from each other about different techniques and styles Gauguin tries to teach Van Gogh that painting should The Yellow House is about the short period that Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin lived together in a small yellow house in France in But they learned from each other about different techniques and styles Gauguin tries to teach Van Gogh that painting should all be from memory and painting show the painters reality.
The painters continue to work together to define their own personal styles creating paintings that are famous in today's world.
In the end, the two get in their final fight forcing Gauguin to leave. As a repercussion, Van Gogh decides to cut off his ear and never sees Gauguin again. Gives readers a snippet of what Van Gogh life was like just before he dies Weakness: Great for a history art lesson to bring art and reading togerher May 02, Jun-E rated it really liked it Shelves: Really good book which goes deep into the artistic climate and cultural background of the day and also Van Gogh and Gauguin's personal experiences to give a heartrending account of the two months before Van Gogh cut off his own year, and succumbed officially to his mental illness.
I liked that the book went into details like how Van Gogh furnished his house, how Gauguin and him influenced each other's work, and so on. I positively bawled towards the end at how sad I was for Van Gogh. He was conf Really good book which goes deep into the artistic climate and cultural background of the day and also Van Gogh and Gauguin's personal experiences to give a heartrending account of the two months before Van Gogh cut off his own year, and succumbed officially to his mental illness. He was confronting his own insanity by working on his art, and at the same time he had big visions on how his art would soothe others as well.
Van Gogh was a guy with a big heart who loved people - he loved painting portraits of people - but yet at the same time he was lonely because he repulsed people. This book has been very useful for my personal education in art, if only to identify with artists who are long gone, but whose spirit in furthering the field of art remains palpable in their compositions. I enjoyed this book immensely. The contextual information, written to illustrate the journey of the artists up to Arles was insightful and useful. I found a great deal here on the lives of the two artists and about lateth Century France, the geography and climate of the south of France, and the beginnin I enjoyed this book immensely.
I found a great deal here on the lives of the two artists and about lateth Century France, the geography and climate of the south of France, and the beginnings and growing acceptance of the impressionists as a 'school'. I found myself using my mobile device to view pictures of the colour images of the various paintings Gayford mentions because the black and white illustrations did not do his prose or description justice. I'd recommend other readers have their search engines at the ready as, for me, this really added to the book. Sep 06, Kelsey Knight rated it it was ok.
Vincent Van Gogh lived isolated in France. He invited people to come stay with him at his yellow house to keep him company. Gauguin came to live with him and they painted together. They painted different perspectives of things every time. However, both created beautiful paintings. Today, you can still see both of their famous works. This is an interesting story about artists. It is very informational.
This book would be more useful in an art class, but could also just be a q Summary: This book would be more useful in an art class, but could also just be a quick read in a regular classroom. A teaching idea would be to let the students freely create art and then compare their work to their peers and so how different or alike they created their own artwork.
Sep 24, Suzydumeur rated it liked it. Apr 29, Elsabe rated it liked it. Getting so acquainted with Van Gogh, so admired by so many, through the eyes of Gayford was amazing. So very often those messages are completely over my head being just a shallow admirer. I do wonder how modern medicine would have improved the life of the artists of that time period - or is it exactly that, that hardships, that made them so brilliant? Nov 29, Kate rated it it was ok. To be honest, I was expecting more from the author in terms of plot. I read until pages, but found his accounts on both artists repetitive and mundane.
Yes, he gives perspective to both artists, but the pace of the book is too slow and the duration is way too long. I jumped to the last chapter and got the info I needed about the conclusion of both artists. Yes, my choice, but I am impatient with these types of books. The author's tone was like a To be honest, I was expecting more from the author in terms of plot.
Had I known I wouldn't have bought the book. Jun 28, Diana Suddreth rated it really liked it. The Yellow House was a perfect read in advance of both a trip to the Chicago art museum, where you can see the cover in person, and the south of France, where you can walk in Van Gogh's footsteps.
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I was fascinated by the settings for the artwork and read the book with my technology at my side to look up the color versions of the pieces referenced throughout. I'm not sure I learned a lot more about either Van Gogh or Gauguin, but I certainly learned a lot about their art. It was well worth the ti The Yellow House was a perfect read in advance of both a trip to the Chicago art museum, where you can see the cover in person, and the south of France, where you can walk in Van Gogh's footsteps. It was well worth the time it took to read.
Mar 05, Caterina rated it really liked it.
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Though I felt this account of the time that Gauguin and Van Gogh spent together became a bit bogged down in the perceived symbolism of some of the work and situations, it was very revealing and I was interested to know that the current diagnosis of Van Gogh was probably Manic depression. That would make perfect sense in viewing Starry Night and realizing that Van Gogh was in his "fevered," as he described it or manic state when he painted it and felt that it had over taken him.
Oct 29, Sara rated it really liked it. I really enjoyed this. I don't know a ton about either artist, but am familiar with their work. I wasn't sure if that would render this book inaccessible, but it really didn't. These two men are interesting characters and getting a glimpse into the last few months of Van Gogh's life is quite fascinating.
Jan 19, Errika Gerakiti rated it it was amazing. An amazing book about the life of the two artists.
True to the historical facts, which are presented in a very beautiful way. Personally, I fell in love with Van Gogh's personality and I was touched deeply by his life. There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Martin Gayford is an art critic and art historian.