Van Gogh’s Yellow Chair. Arles, 1888
Van Gogh ached to have friends, artist friends to hang with. He invited Gaugin to Arles that winter of 1888 with high expectations: The Yellow House. The comeraderie. The cooking and shared ideas. Gauguin prowled for women at night, got fed up with Van Gogh’s intensity. Of course, the ear situation didn’t help matters. All in all, the collaboration was a huge disappointment for Van Gogh. To look closely at Van Gogh’s winter renditions of each painter’s chair says a lot about how he perceived himself –and his fairweather friend. What do you see?
Van Gogh: Gaugin’s Red Chair, Arles 1888
