Van Gogh , la Provence, et nous .
English version below the pictures or French text.
Récemment une amie afficha sur sa page Facebook une peinture de Van Gogh . Je lui répondis que nous avions voyagé dans la région de France qu’il aimait beaucoup: la Provence. C’était en 2006
Last month a friend ( SaxophoneWife ) posted on her facebook a painting by Van Gogh . I told her we had travelled in the area of France he loved much: Provence ( Southern France). It was in 2006.
Nous avons séjourné en Provence durant une semaine en Juin exactement entre les deux villes où a vécu le fameux peintre Vincent Van Gogh en 1888 et 1889 : Arles et St Rémy de Provence ( 15 km environ ) . Le premier jour de notre arrivée nous sommes allés au Centre d ‘ Art Présence Van Gogh à St Rémy et là tout était si bien expliqué avec documents et une superbe video que notre séjour allait devenir un séjour Van Gogh . Il a peint à Arles et dans la campagne de St Rémy . Tout ce que nous pouvions voir et admirer , il l ‘ avait peint . Nous avons vécu dans son souvenir . Ci dessous quelques exemples de paysages qui nous ont fait vivre avec lui .
We have stayed in Provence during a week in June exactly between the two towns where the famous painter Vincent Van Gogh lived in 1888 and 1889: Arles and Saint-Remy de Provence (about 15 km) . The fist day of our stay we went to the Center Art Presence Van Gogh in St Remy and , there , all was so well explained with documents and a superb video than our stay was going to become a Van Gogh stay . He painted in Arles and in the country side around St Remy . All of things we could see and admire , he had painted them . We lived in his memory . Below some examples of landscapes that make us live with him .
Quand Van Gogh arriva à Arles en 1888 il fut frappé d ‘ émerveillement par l ‘ intense lumière et sa pureté comme le montre la photo ci – dessus. C ‘ était une découverte pour lui qui venait du Nord , de la Hollande où il est né puis de Paris , régions au ciel nébuleux . Il se mit à peindre avec ardeur et son souci était d ‘ exprimer cette lumière et les vives couleurs qu ‘ elle engendrait ..Sa peinture se transforma.
When Van Gogh arrived in Arles in 1888 he was striken with amazement by the intense light and its purity as the picture above shows . It was a discovery for him who came from Hollande where he was born and Paris , areas with a misty sky . I started to paint with frenzy and what he wanted was to express this light and the brillant colors that it generated . His painting was transformed .
Van Gogh a peint plusieurs tableaux de cafés en Arles et aussi de la maison où il habitait : la Maison Jaune . Couleur vive !
Van Gogh made some paintings of cafes in Arles and also of the ” Yellow House ” where he lived . Bright color !
Les oliviers .Nous avons pris cette photo à l ‘ endroit – même où Van Gogh posa son chevalet . Il était fasciné par les tronc tordus des oliviers qui reflétaient son esprit torturé . Il était malade et se trouvait à sa demande à l ‘ hôpital psychiatrique de St rémy de Provence . Il pouvait circuler librement dans la campagne dominée par la chaîne des Alpilles . Ce tableau est célèbre .
The olive trees : we took this picture at the exact place where Van Gogh put his easel . He was fascinated by the twisted trunks of the olive trees which reflected his tortured mind . He was sick and asked to enter voluntarily the psychiatric hospital of St Remy de Provence . He might go freely to the countryside near the Alpilles Range . This painting looking like this picture is famous .
Petits champs de blé et de lavande . C ‘ est ce que voyait Vincent depuis sa chambre d ‘ hôpital . On sait combien les couleurs jaunes et les vagues du champs de blé ont inspiré beaucoup de ses peintures . De même pour le bleu de la lavande .
A small wheat field and lavender field . It was what Vincent saw from his room at the hospital . You know how much the yellow color and the waves of the wheat fields inspired many of his paintings . The same for the blue of the lavender .
Voici ces fameux champs de tournesols et ces cyprès qui inspièrent tant Van Gogh :
Here are those famous sunflowers fields and those Cypress trees that inspired so much Van Gogh .
Comme je disais au début nous avons vécu dans une ambiance Van Gogh . On disait Van Gogh mais on pensait Vincent . Et peut – être était – il assis comme Janine à cette table en 1888 contemplant les arênes d’Arles brillamment éclairées par un soleil brûlant ?
As I said at the beginning we lived in a Van Gogh ambiance . We said ” Van Gogh ” but we thought ” Vincent ” . And perhaps was he sat like Janine at this same table in 1888 looking at the arenas of Arles brightly lighted by a burning sun .
Really beautiful.
Thanks, Nico . Did you know Provence ?
I would love to travel there. Maybe some day! Peace.
I wish for you both, Nico
Thank you Michel! Peace.
You are welcome, Nico.
I can see Van Gogh’s paintings through your photos! Amazing!
Yes Lori , our stay at this place is unforgettable
I don’ t remember how to join your site, Lori . Could you tell le your suite address ? Thanks.
Thank you for showing me What Van Gogh saw and painted. You have given me an art history lesson.
I only related what we have experienced , Gail !! 🙂 ❤
Wonderful! The 3-D exhibit of his paintings is billed as an immersive experience. Several of our friends have gone and say that it is mesmerizing!! I think I’d rather visit the countryside and see first hand the fields that inspired the paintings instead of computer generated images…
You are right, Val . Better to be really in the light of Provence and see real fields ,flowers, trees and ranges ❤
A beautiful nearly ethereal experience, I would love to walk those streets , sit at the café one day. Thank you for the virtual journey and lovely photos. ❤️
I am sure Provence would inspire you, Holly as Van Gogh was . ❤
No doubt!!❤️
I see you writing poems there . The area is so special .
It would be an inspiration for creativity.
I am sure, Holly, Provence and Mediterranean sea would inspire you beautiful poems .
How could it not , such a beautiful place!
Yes of course . BTW I loved much your latest poem which makes me think of a famous impressionist painting! ❤
I’m glad you liked it Michel. What painting is that? ❤️
I think of Monet’s painting”le déjeuner sur l’ herbe “
A divine painting by the master. I’m speechless ❤️
Meeting your poem with this painting would be a good idea , Holly. ❤
I tried to bring it to the page but couldn’t. Such stunning beauty.
I sent to your page two links about those paintings , Holly. ❤
-one below my previous comments
– the other at the end of all the comments
Thank
You Michel. Such fine art. Beautiful. ❤️
How fortunate you are to have visited a place that is so inspiring. Now the world knows of this lovely place because of the talent of a great artist. You live in a place of culture and beauty and…history.
Yes Françoise , this area inspired painter and writers . Thanks for your words . ❤
What beautiful photos and memories, Michel! Rick and I were in Provence in 2000, when travel was much easier. We have so many good memories of it, too!
A long time ago, Don McLean wrote a song called “Vincent”, it was about Vincent Van Gogh .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_(Don_McLean_song)
Much love to you, Janine and the family, ❤️
Lavinia
I am glad to learn you visited PROVENCE in 2000, Lavinia .and you keep good memories.
Thanks for the link. I did not know this song about Vincent. Perhaps you play it with your guitar ,;
Love ❤
Michel
I used to when I was young, my teenage years. I should learn how to play it again.
I think so, Lavinia I am sure you will feel good to play and sing this song.
Oh, I love that song! It’s been a favorite of mine since the first time I heard it. Thank you for sharing it here. Now I need to go listen to it. 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Listen to and …. sing in Carolyn ! 🙂
🙂
OH, this is so marvelous, Michel! Your photos and your memories! Each photo is spectacular! But the last 2 photos really are so beautiful! 🙂 Thank you for sharing all of this with us! 🙂
As you know from past posts on my blog, van Gogh is one of my favorite artists! I’ve read books about him, watched movies about him, I’ve written poems about him, ETC!
I have a huge poster with 3 of his paintings on it on the wall behind by desk. I’m looking at it right now, as I type this comment! 🙂
((((HUGS)))) ❤
"For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream." – Vincent van Gogh
“There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” – Vincent van Gogh
We feel that you love Vincent passionately, Carolyn. Yes, Van Gogh is very endearing with his art and his humanity (and his suffering)
Some of his paintings are world famous. ❤
🙂
And you inspired me to read more about Van Gogh Carolyn. I knew there was a painter called Vincent Van Gogh, but I never knew of his life or about his mental illness. Had he known his talent for painting, I wonder, if it would have made a difference in his life. Thank you both for inspiring me, to learn more of a man who I would have never known, had it not for you both. ❤ ❤
Transmitted to Carolyn, Angy.
Oh, good, SweetAngy! 🙂
I first learned of him when I was a young teenager…and I related to parts of his life…and learning about him helped me in positive ways.
What you said you wondered about…I often wondered that, too.
OH! You’re welcome! So glad I could do that for you! 🙂
(((HUGS))) ❤ 🙂
I like the conversation above
What a beautiful tour around places I will never visit, thank you so much for taking me there Michel! I saw his art exhibition in Holland but to see the actual places that ignited his works … how magic. So glad you kept these lovely photos and shared your fond memories 🙂
I imagine he did sit in that cafe looking just as Janine does …
Yes I think so about the cafe, Kate .
The light,the colors and the landscape in Provence would inspire the poet that you are .
they would indeed Michel, how fortunate you visited!
We went to twice and even four if I add two stays around Nice on the shore of the Mediterranean sea ❤
what a lovely store of memories and photos you have!
Yes , Kate, it was a great time for us .
A wonderful post Michel. It made me want to view more of his work.
It was a new way of painting, Bonnie !
So beautiful and I learned some things as well. Great post. ❤
I am glad, Elizabeth, you enjoyed this post ! ❤
Interesting connections.
Yes it was moving to watch the landscape that inspired a renowned painter. You have also beautiful lanscapes that you have pictured . ❤
Thank you. I am working on photo calanders right now to showcase my photos.
You showed us very good photos taken during your travels .
Thank you. I am trying to figure out where to order them from. I am hoping local is cheaper than online.
Do for the best ! 🙂
Thanks.
You are welcome
What a beautiful place!!!!!!!!
This place inspired painters and writers and also movies! ❤
I felt transported to a different place and time, imagining the world through his eyes. Thank you for taking us back in time on this journey with you. Van Gogh’s personal story evokes sympathy and compassion from me. I’m so glad he had paint to express himself.
Thank you so much for sharing this. God bless you, dear friend!
Love,
Caroline ❤️
I am glad ,Caroline, this entry made you travel in the past on the paces of this famous and tragic impressionist painter.
Love ❤
Beau reportage ,tu nous as fait voyager …retrouver le soleil qui nous manque tant et les couleurs
Simon petit, aimait les peintures de Van Gogh …il a étudié ça à l’école
Bonne soirée à vous deux je vous embrasse bien fort carole
Peut-être que cette entrée inéresserait Simon?
Lovely! No further words needed from me; you have said it beautifully!
You are so kind, Susan. ❤
wonderful! The photo of you and Janine is priceless ❤
Thanks, Nancy. Yes Janine loved Provence . We went back the following year ! 🙂 ❤
Fascinating! I regret not visiting Provence, though I did visit the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
So you saw certainly in that museum Impressionists’ paintings ( and among them one from Van Gogh )
Yes!
The impressionist painters painted many cats ( see Google ! 🙂
Thank you for taking us on a trip following the footsteps of Vincent. I love Van Gogh’s paintings and actually visited Arles to see where he lived toward the end of his life. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to visit St Remy. I’m so glad to see the photos you took as they remind me of Van Gogh’s paintings, which I love. Merci pour le voyage suivi les pas de Vincent.❤
I am glad you made also this trip “sur les pas de Vincent” . After such a trip we love much his paintings .
Thanks for your comment.
Michel ❤
bonjour Michel,
en admirant ta photo d’oliviers, j’ai pensé aussi au musée Renoir entouré d’un jardin avec de magnifiques vieux oliviers que j’adore , le tout situé au-dessus de Cagnes sur mer.
bises !
Merci Maidy . La Provence et la côte méditerranéenne sont une niche d’artistes . Il serait intéressant d’énumérer les artstes qui y ont trouvé refuge et inspiration.
Amitiés ❤
Michel
Amazing to walk in his footsteps…Michel you were so lucky! I think some of his artistic ability flew into you!
God bless you and Janine. ❤
You are too kind, Gayle ! 🙂 but thank you . ❤
It’s really cool you got to walk where Van Gogh walked, sit where he sat, and experience the places he was at. He was a brilliant artist who tragically suffered from a tortured mind.
yes Suzy this is both moving and impressing. ❤
What a marvelous post! Someday I will just have to see two places, Provence and Barcelona. To retrace Van Gogh’s journey must have been captivating.
In Provence we find numerous remnains of architecture of the roman empire, Neil!
Hello Michel.
Very interesting post. We have in in the museum of Vincent van Gogh in Amsterdam. I recommend you to visit there. The town of Arles, was the town in which my both children made their class trip and visited during two weeks there. This was when they were in French school in Helsinki.
Thank you very much for this great post. Happy upcoming weekend. Amitiés, Matti
Perhaps, Matti, your children would like to see again those landscapes around Arles
I am sure about it, but they they are busy and adults. 🙂 Matti
Oui, je comprends ,Matti.
Tres charmant, utterly gorgeous. My family and I visited Provence around the year 2000. The landscape has many features similar to Lebanon, with the olive trees, but Lebanon does not have quite so many sunflowers! There is something wonderfully eternal about Van Gogh’s work. Thank you for sharing. ❤
Je sui content que tu aies visité la région d’Arles et St Rémy en Provence . La comparaison avec le Liban est vraiment intéressante .
Bonne journée , Vicky. <3.
Michel, thanks for taking us on a virtual tour of where Vincent Van Gogh painted his beautiful artworks! I have always admire the vibrancy of colour used in his works. 🙂
I guessed Marion you would love this post . I think you would love Provence too.
Take care of you
Love ❤
Michel
Bonjour MICHEL ET A TOUTE TA FAMILLE
La douceur de vivre c’est :
C’est un café avec une amie, un baiser volé, un message inattendu
C’est le regard amical d’un passant
C’est répondre au téléphone et entendre avec surprise la voix de ceux que nous aimons
C’est une bouffée d’air frais après une journée enfermée dans une pièce
C’est un sourire
C’est une promenade au soleil après des semaines de pluie
C’est un nouveau parfum
C’est le sourire d’un enfant
C’est une confidence entre sœurs et frères
C’est d’entendre la voix de ses enfants
C’est notre chanson préférée à la radio
C’est une émotion soudaine
C’est la pleine lune
C’est un câlin affectueux.
Mon Amie Ami passe une agréable semaine avec tes proches et ceux t’entourent
Bisous D’amitié BERNARD
J’aime ce commentaire-poésie, Bernard qui rappelle les différentes facettes de la douceur de vivre .
Merci
I love the architecture and landscaping!
I hope you’re well, Michel. I have been busy with my new job so I haven’t been on WordPress a lot these last few weeks.
Take care!
Thanks for visiting Marica despite of you are busy with your new job . ❤
Just stopping by with some (((HUGS))) for you and Janine today! 🙂 ❤
Thanks, Carolyn. You are kind. BTW.
I commented lately about your post with a French saying ! 🙂
Thank you for this wonderful post, Michel!
The photos are great, and the history lesson valuable! xo
I am glad you enjoyed this post, Resa.
De toute BEAUTE !
Ces couleurs lumineuses devenues célèbres dans le monde entier.
En Chine, Vincent est très copié et apprécié … Pourquoi pas, une copie déclarée en tant que telle est toujours mieux qu’un simple poster.
Nous en avons ramenées 3 de notre temps à Hong Kong. Magnifiques … et acquises pour une bouchée de pain. Il y en avait des piles …. C’était à Shenzhen dans un quartier réservé aux peintres https://www.asiaundiscovered.com/dafen-oil-painting-village/
Amitiés colorées
Je me souviens bien de cette période de Hong Kong . . je sais que vous avez aimé..
Amitié à toi ❤
Beautiful, Nichel
Beautiful, Michel.
Thank you for sharing your visit and your reflections on the life and work of Vincent Van Gogh. Beautiful post! have a great day!
Love ❤
Cheryl
The “Van Gogh ambience” is felt in your post and your photos, Michel.
What a lovely adventure you took us on, Michel 🙂
I, too, would love to see the spots you mentioned. Perhaps one day!!
I wish I had visited Provence when I was over there…