Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin: A Turbulent Creativity explores the differing personalities and approaches to modern painting espoused by Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) and Paul Gauguin (1848-1903) during the brief time they lived and worked together in the yellow house in Arles. Van Gogh desired to escape the pressures of urban living in Paris, seeking instead a quieter life immersed in the southern light and colors of Provence. His desire was to create a brotherhood of artists in Arles presided over by his friend Gauguin. In 1888 Van Gogh moved to Arles, eventually convincing Gauguin to leave Brittany where he was then working and join him. Van Gogh’s 16 months in Arles comprise the most prolific period of his career as a painter. The nine weeks he shared with Gauguin, however, were among the most volatile, explosive, and traumatic in the artist’s life. This lecture will also consider some of the latest theories about Van Gogh’s death as well as new information about Gauguin’s final days.
