Van Gogh's Yellow Obsession: Medical Theories vs. Artistic Manifesto
Beaux Arts Magazine delves into Vincent van Gogh's (1853–1890) profound application of yellow in pieces such as Sunflowers and The Yellow House. In her article, journalist Malika Bauwens discusses various hypotheses, including xanthopsia, potentially triggered by digitalis, although there is no proof that Van Gogh received such treatment. Additionally, his absinthe consumption in Arles, which contained thujone, has been associated with visual impairments. Another suggestion is lead poisoning from pigments like lead white and chrome yellow; research from the 1990s in Spain linked his symptoms—fatigue, abdominal pain, and neuropathies—to lead exposure, yet no toxicological tests have verified this. Alternatively, some art historians propose that the vibrant light of Arles inspired Van Gogh's use of yellow, contrasting with his experiences in Paris and the Netherlands. The article presents these theories without reaching a conclusive answer.
Key facts
- Van Gogh (1853–1890) used yellow like no other painter of his generation.
- Xanthopsia, a visual disorder causing yellow-tinted vision, could be linked to digitalis, a heart remedy.
- Dr. Paul Gachet, Van Gogh's physician, knew digitalis and used it on patients.
- No documentary proof exists that Van Gogh was treated with digitalis.
- Van Gogh was a heavy absinthe drinker in Arles; Paul Gauguin worried about it.
- Thujone in absinthe was accused of causing color vision disturbances and hallucinations.
- Van Gogh used toxic pigments like lead white and chrome yellow in thick layers.
- Spanish research in the 1990s linked lead poisoning to Van Gogh's chronic symptoms.
- Van Gogh had a habit of putting his brushes in his mouth, documented by biographers.
- No posthumous toxicological analysis has confirmed lead poisoning.
- Van Gogh arrived in Arles in February 1888 and was struck by the intense light.
- He described yellow as an earthly equivalent of the Japanese sky, inspired by Hokusai and Hiroshige.
- In August 1888, he wrote: 'What a beautiful yellow!'
- The article is part of a series by Malika Bauwens answering art questions.
Entities
Artists
- Vincent van Gogh
- Paul Gauguin
- Hokusai
- Hiroshige
- Dr. Paul Gachet
Institutions
- Beaux Arts Magazine
Locations
- Arles
- France
- Netherlands
- Paris