Vincent: The Full Story

In Arles, Vincent was set on a downward path. Renting four rooms in the famous Yellow House to use as a studio, he begged Gauguin to join him. The strong, bright colours of the Mediterranean gave him the confidence to experiment more boldly with colours leading to the series of sunflower paintings intended as a decoration for Gauguin's room. Bribed by Theo's offer of money, Gauguin arrived, but the 63 days together were marked by growing tensions. Becoming ever more sexually impotent as a result of drink and mentally unstable, Vincent's thoughts turned to early death. He found inspiration in the night sky, producing the first of his paintings of stars, and immortalising The Night Café run by Joseph and Marie Ginoux at 30 Place Lamartine. Van Gogh's behaviour was becoming more erratic and the two artists' rivalry more intense, and after a regular visit to the town's famous bullfights, van Gogh cut off part of his left ear as a sign of defeat like the bull.