Van Gogh's Prolific 70 Days in Auvers-sur-Oise Detailed in New Book
A new book co-authored by Wouter Van Der Veen and Peter Knapp challenges the myth of Vincent van Gogh as a tormented artist, focusing on his final 70 days in Auvers-sur-Oise. During this period, van Gogh produced 80 paintings, many masterpieces, while in relatively good health after a stay in a rest home in the South of France. The book argues for a clear separation between the artist's life and work, attributing his suicide to an irreducible mystery. It includes a detailed journal of his stay with annotated correspondence, a chronological catalog of all paintings with commentary, and a study on Johanna Bonger, Theo van Gogh's widow, who helped secure Vincent's legacy. The work is published by Éditions du Chêne and draws on two documentaries by Knapp.
Key facts
- Book covers van Gogh's 70 days in Auvers-sur-Oise until his suicide on July 27, 1890.
- Van Gogh painted 80 paintings during this period.
- Authors argue van Gogh was in good form, not the 'cursed' artist of myth.
- Book includes a journal, correspondence, and a catalog of all paintings.
- Includes a study on Johanna Bonger, Theo van Gogh's widow.
- Peter Knapp made two documentaries on van Gogh that inspired the book.
- Wouter Van Der Veen is a historian and member of the scientific council of the Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam.
- Published by Éditions du Chêne.
Entities
Artists
- Vincent van Gogh
- Johanna Bonger
- Theo van Gogh
Institutions
- Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam
- Éditions du Chêne
Locations
- Auvers-sur-Oise
- France
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
Sources
- artpress —