"V" is for Van Gogh

This is Day 22 for the

Blogging from A to Z Challenge

for 2013.

Today's topic is the Dutch painter known equally well for his bold strokes of colour and his tumultuous life, Vincent Van Gogh.

Statue of Van Gogh, St. Paul de Mausole

Van Gogh spent the latter years of his life in France. He lived with his brother Theo in Montmartre along with other great artists of the time.

Montmartre, Paris

The beautiful scenery and unique quality of the light in Provence drew him further south to the city of Arles. He soon persuaded fellow artist Paul Gauguin to join him at his new studio. Plaques set into the paving stones lead visitors to important Van Gogh sites around the city.

Van Gogh Plaque, Arles

Le Café le Soir, Van Gogh

Le Café la Nuit, Place du Forum

Place du Forum, Arles

Starry Night Over the Rhone, Van Gogh

The Rhone River at Arles

Following an argument with Gauguin, Vincent cut off his ear with a razor and was hospitalized in Arles.

Garden of the Hospital in Arles, Van Gogh

Hospital Gardens, Arles

In 1889 he left Arles and admitted himself to a private asylum, St. Paul de Mausole Monastery in St. Remy-de-Provence. During the 53 weeks spent here, Van Gogh created 143 oil paintings and over 100 drawings.

Cloister of St. Paul de Mausole Monastery

Self Portrait of Vincent Van Gogh

Visitors to the monastery can see a reproduction of Vincent's room.

Vincent Van Gogh's Room

Bedroom in Arles, Van Gogh

View from Van Gogh's Window

Reproductions of his paintings are displayed throughout the hospital grounds.

Olive Orchard, Van Gogh

Hospital at St. Remy, Van Gogh

Irises, Van Gogh

Starry Night, Van Gogh

Lavender, St. Paul de Mausole Monastery

Two months after leaving St. Remy-de-Provence, Vincent Van Gogh died in Auvers-sur-Oise at the age of of 37 due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Van Gogh: A Brush with Genius is an excellent IMAX production that shows many of his paintings as well as the scenes that inspired them.

Do you have a favourite painting by Vincent Van Gogh?

Next:  "W" is for Window