VAN GOGH'S ARTISTIC PARADISE

Vincent is known as a recluse, choosing to create his art in introverted solitude instead of relying on a community for support, However, Vincent wasn't ALWAYS like this.

A "serious" and "thoughtful" child (according to his parents) Van Gogh was interested in art from a young age, but was unable to get his feet under him as he bounced from profession to profession.

Once he decided to go all-in on his dreams of pursuing art, he longed to create a community where different artists could live, work, and socialize together.

Enter The Yellow House

In 1888, he rented four rooms in a house in Arles.

The house, with its green shutters and yellow walls, was intended to be an artists' paradise.

He was very excited about the project and soon found the first artist that would join him on-site, Paul Gauguin. Gaugin would only end up living in the Yellow House for just over two months, citing tension, irreconcilable differences, and Vincent's declining mental health as the reason for his departure.

As Gauguin left, so did Vincent's dreams of his artist paradise.

Gauguin's departure drove Van Gogh deeper into his depression, so he spent time in and out of psychiatric hospitals, and also came under the care of Dr. Paul Gachet (pictured here).

Vincent was unable to fully realize his dreams of an artists' community, but he continued to create art up until his death in 1890. He actually created some of his most famous paintings in this time, including "The Starry Night" and "Wheatfield with Crows".

See masterpieces at Beyond Van Gogh

Unfortunately, the Yellow House was heavily bombed during WWII raids

A plaque now stands where the house once was.