Current location:travel >>
A brush with Van Gogh in picture
travel2748People have gathered around
IntroductionVincent Van Gogh may have been minus an ear and borderline bonkers during his stay in Saint-Remy-de- ...
Vincent Van Gogh may have been minus an ear and borderline bonkers during his stay in Saint-Remy-de-Provence, but the Dutch master painted some of his greatest works here, in the bustling French tourist town near Avignon.
The prolific period of his career included Irises, Sunflowers and The Starry Night.
So, clutching a grade C in O-level art, I’ve travelled to Saint Remy to create my own masterpiece.
Guiding my hand is Aicha Bendafi, who patiently teaches tourists how to sketch the landscapes immortalised by Van Gogh in their own oily palettes of blue and grey.
We meet outside the gates to Saint Paul de Mausole, the monastery turned asylum where Van Gogh admitted himself in 1889, a year after cutting off his left ear.
Inspiring: Jeremy Taylor travelled to Saint-Remy-de-Provence to follow in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh. Above is Saint Paul de Mausole, the monastery turned asylum where the tormented artist admitted himself in 1889
Jeremy wonders if the landscape and lavender can inspire his 'inner artist' in the same way as it did Van Gogh. Pictured is a lavender field in bloom in the monastery of Saint Paul de Mausole
Tourists visit to see a reconstruction of the artist’s sparsely decorated room on the first floor and to follow a walking trail that highlights the locations where Van Gogh set up his easel.
‘He was fascinated by the quality of the light and the beauty of the landscape,’ Aicha tells me.
‘Thanks to a serene atmosphere and the help of the nuns, he completed more than 100 drawings and 143 oil paintings in just a year.’
Aicha explains that Saint Paul de Mausole is still a psychiatric home for artists to this day, with their work sold at a nearby gallery.
‘From the upstairs windows you can still see those same limestone hills, vineyards and olive groves that made Van Gogh reach for a brush and canvas,’ she adds.
There’s certainly an atmosphere about the place – far removed from busy Saint Remy, a short walk away.
Pictured is Van Gogh's recreated room at Saint Paul de Mausole
Masterpiece: One of Van Gogh's 15 or so olive grove paintings. Jeremy tries to paint a similar scene on his visit
This chic town of cobbled streets, cafes and restaurants celebrates Van Gogh’s 444 days in Provence in many ways – some naff – but I wonder if the landscape and lavender can inspire my inner artist in the same way.
Aicha has set up my easel in front of an olive grove, likely where Van Gogh painted The Olive Trees in June 1889.
His famous original is said to be worth around £60 million... so no pressure then.
Van Gogh is believed to have made 15 olive grove paintings, fascinated by the twisted, gnarly shapes which reflected his mental state at the time.
Saint Remy, pictured, is just a short walk away from the spot where Jeremy learns to 'sketch the landscapes immortalised by Van Gogh'
Pictured: The Fountain of Nostradamus in the medieval old town of Saint Remy
I start simple, with a splash of yellow sun, but the shape of the tree trunks is already driving me mad. I’m struggling to capture the texture with my cack-handed brush strokes.
Aicha tells me to split my piece into sections, sky, trees and earth, and soon I’m wafting my brush around like a pro.
I find varying the thickness of paint adds an uneven, rough texture – Van Gogh often used paint straight from the tube but for the leaves, I decide to squeeze every shade of green onto my palette and go freestyle.
By now, a small gathering of tourists has come to watch. I hold up a thumb to help gauge the distance between the tree trunks, before a small ripple of applause breaks out when I scribble my name in the bottom corner.
It looks nothing like the view but I am sorely tempted to offer my ‘Olive Grove Revisited’ to the highest bidder.
Jeremy describes Saint Remy (pictured) as a 'chic town of cobbled streets, cafes and restaurants'
Jeremy stays at Mas Van Gogh (pictured), a restored farmhouse a cycle ride from the centre of Saint Remy
That evening I retire with my rolled-up work of art to Mas Van Gogh, a restored farmhouse a cycle ride from the centre of St Remy.
This luxury, self-catering property boasts an outdoor pool and space for eight guests, but I imagine the Dutch master would have preferred to paint alone in a quiet corner of the enormous garden.
‘Olive Grove Revisited’ is now hung in my downstairs loo. One day, when I’m gone, maybe it will resurface in a secondhand shop. It won’t be mistaken for a masterpiece.
TRAVEL FACTS
Car return crossing from Portsmouth to Caen from £190 (brittany-ferries.co.uk). Details on painting classes at aichabendafi.com. A week at Mas Van Gogh villa, sleeping eight, from £5,280 (theluxurytravelbook.com).
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Culture Corner news portal”。http://westernsahara.adventistmissionjapan.org/news-51a399859.html
Related articles
Socialite Jasmine Hartin enjoys beach snuggle with electrician hunk
travelSocialite Jasmine Hartin has been seen enjoying a beach snuggle with her new mystery man.Ms Hartin w ...
【travel】
Read moreHK records 1st virus death, toll over 420
travelYour web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here ...
【travel】
Read morecoronavirus: Donald Trump defends 'China virus' term for covid
travelYour web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here ...
【travel】
Read more
Popular articles
- The fightback begins: Boss of London's Queen Mary University tells pro
- 403,000 people's personal information taken in MediaWorks cyberattack
- Israeli hostages' relatives arrested at protest as Gaza talks break down
- Baltimore bridge collapse: two fathers named among victims
- Trump accepts a VP debate but wants it on Fox News. Harris has already said yes to CBS
- Free lunch scheme has made 'huge difference' for Wainuiomata school
Latest articles
Russian theater director and playwright go on trial over a play authorities say justifies terrorism
Auckland woman's breath
War a real threat and Europe not ready, warns Poland's PM
Bill to Fund US Government Includes Money to Counter China in Pacific
Sweden beats France, Britain relegated after losing to Norway at hockey worlds
Department of Conservation set to lose scientific expertise in job cuts
LINKS
- Unclear whether there's funding to continue extra hospital security guards
- Coronavirus China: COVID
- Auckland protesters hold empty plates to highlight hunger in Gaza
- I do one of the world's most dangerous jobs
- 'Free from self
- Supermarket facial recognition trial: Rotorua mother’s ‘discrimination’ ordeal
- Watch: 'State of the nation is fragile', Christopher Luxon says
- New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy suspends run for U.S. Senate
- Auckland protesters hold empty plates to highlight hunger in Gaza
- Farmers selling stock, land as 'extreme' drought dries up streams