‘A successful combination of the popular and the scholarly … magnificently illustrated … a major addition to the literature on the two artists’ – Martin Bailey The Art Newspaper

‘Fascinating and lavish . . .
a perfect summation of the exhibition’ – The Times

The friendship of Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin is one of the most revealing and dynamic relationships in the history of art. When they first met in Paris in late 1887, they were two of a number of artists seeking a way to move beyond Impressionism. They found common ground in the belief that progressive art should be created at a distance from urban decadence, a conviction that led Gauguin to Brittany and Van Gogh to Arles in 1888.

Once established in Provence, Van Gogh persuaded Gauguin to join him, in hopes of founding a ‘Studio of the South.’ They settled together in the Yellow house in Arles, which served as living quarters and studio, and demonstrated to each other their evolving ideas about the very nature of modern art.

The Studio of the South experiment dissolved abruptly on 23 December 1888, when Van Gogh injured himself. But the two men maintained a fruitful correspondence until Van Gogh's death in 1890.

Drawing on the rich, scholarly literature devoted to both artists, on their voluminous correspondence and writings, and on new technical investigations, this book presents a day-by-day examination of their activities in Arles with an unprecedented wealth of illustrations including contemporary photographs and full-colour reproductions.

Published on the occasion of a landmark exhibition organized by The Art Institute of Chicago and the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, this is a provocative study of influence and innovation. It offers a new perspective on some of the best-known masterpieces of modern art, as well as fresh insight into two of its central personalities.

Also of interest
Van Gogh World of Art series
Van Gogh - The Letters: The Complete Illustrated and Annotated Edition