Bonjour,

Vincent Van Gogh was a Dutch post-impressionist painter. Van Gogh lived in Arles from early 1888 through early 1890. While living in Arles, Van Gogh painted over 300 paintings. The most interesting thing that we learned from our local Arles guide was that Vincent Van Gogh only sold one painting during his lifetime. That would lead me to the conclusion that he was truly an artist. He obviously wasn’t painting for the money.

I have never had a great appreciation for the arts and artists. College classes didn’t inspire me much regarding the arts. But I did obtain some appreciation from living next door to the Fallico family here on Mt Eden Road in Saratoga. They were a true artistic family. At any rate, I found some real inspiration to learn that Van Gogh had only sold one painting during his life. I really found it fascinating to go around Arles and see the scenes that he painted, along with the painting. The city of Arles makes quite a deal of Van Gogh and his paintings and I really enjoyed it.

1. Our boat pulled up to the dock in Arles on the Rhone River. Vicky liked this view and so took this photo. It’s old town Arles reflected in the Rhone River.

2. The next morning, we got off the boat, walked up to the road and saw this replica of a painting by Van Gogh done at this same location. I think it’s called “Starry Night, Arles” and was painted in 1888.

3. This Van Gogh was in town and is called “Café Terrace at Night”. It was painted in September, 1888.

4. This is the Café Terrace today, during the day.

5. This is “The Courtyard of the Hospital at Arles”, painted in 1889. Van Gogh spent time in this hospital. He painted it from the upper floor.

6. This is the same hospital today, from the ground floor. We weren’t allowed to go upstairs.

Voila,

Bill