If you have found yourself a vacation rental in Provence and are looking for things to do in that beautiful part of the world, we would have to suggest a visit to the Fondation Vincent Van Gogh in Arles. This extraordinary gallery and museum is devoted to the life and work of the great Van Gogh and, in particular, his incredibly productive stay in Arles. A permanent collection of works by Van Gogh himself and by other artists in homage to his oeuvre, as well as temporary contemporary art exhibitions, are displayed throughout the museum, which is, in of itself, a rather beautiful work of art. If you're a Van Gogh fan or art lover visiting the area, it is a must-see attraction.
Vincent van Gogh came to live in Arles in 1888, in search of what he described as a “different kind of light” and he must have found it as is period in the city was the most productive of his life. It was then and there that masterpieces such as “Sunflowers” and “The Bedroom” were born. Sadly, few traces of the artist remained in the place that had inspired him so, bar the hospital in which he was treated after the infamous ear incident. To right this shame and reestablish a connection with the artist, a non-profit foundation was established according to Van Gogh's own desire to have an international center of artistic creation and exchange in Arles.
Vincent van Gogh came to live in Arles in 1888, in search of what he described as a “different kind of light” and he must have found it as is period in the city was the most productive of his life. It was then and there that masterpieces such as “Sunflowers” and “The Bedroom” were born. Sadly, few traces of the artist remained in the place that had inspired him so, bar the hospital in which he was treated after the infamous ear incident. To right this shame and reestablish a connection with the artist, a non-profit foundation was established according to Van Gogh's own desire to have an international center of artistic creation and exchange in Arles.
The museum's origins can be traced back to 1983. Founded by the curator Yolande Clergue as the Association for the Creation of the Fondation Van Gogh, it subsequently became known simply as the Fondation Van Gogh. Clergue began by establishing a permanent collection of works by contemporary artists in tribute to Van Gogh in 1985, reaching out to prominent figures in the art world, Francis Bacon among them. Bacon loved the proposal and even made a piece specifically for the foundation while an additional ninety other artists, including David Hockney and Roy Lichtenstein, also chose to contribute works. This collection aims to show a dialogue between the past and present, Van Gogh's influence, and his paintings in the context of works by contemporary artists.
In 2008, Luc Hoffmann became involved and in 2010, a new iteration of the foundation was officially established under the name of the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles. It was proposed that the foundation be housed in the Hotel Léautaud de Donines and, in 2011, renovation work began to transform the interior into an appropriate exhibition space. The foundation settled into its permanent home in 2014, which is comprised of over 1000 square metres of exhibition space, spread across two floors. In the main gallery, on the ground floor, there is a series of exhibitions on the work of Van Gogh, curated by Sjraar van Heugten, and in the other spaces are installations by contemporary artists that pay homage to the Dutch master, as well as the temporary exhibitions that are changed one to two times a year. Cooperating with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, works by Van Gogh are loaned to be shown on rotation in the museum, alongside the foundation's own permanent collection of contemporary works.
In 2008, Luc Hoffmann became involved and in 2010, a new iteration of the foundation was officially established under the name of the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles. It was proposed that the foundation be housed in the Hotel Léautaud de Donines and, in 2011, renovation work began to transform the interior into an appropriate exhibition space. The foundation settled into its permanent home in 2014, which is comprised of over 1000 square metres of exhibition space, spread across two floors. In the main gallery, on the ground floor, there is a series of exhibitions on the work of Van Gogh, curated by Sjraar van Heugten, and in the other spaces are installations by contemporary artists that pay homage to the Dutch master, as well as the temporary exhibitions that are changed one to two times a year. Cooperating with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, works by Van Gogh are loaned to be shown on rotation in the museum, alongside the foundation's own permanent collection of contemporary works.
As you come into the museum, be sure to pay attention as Bertrand Lavier and Raphael Hefti were commissioned to create permanent installations for the new entrance area, both of which pay tribute to Vincent Van Gogh; Lavier making an entrance gate that was conceived as a hybrid sculpture that acts as a welcome sign, while Hefti designed a multi coloured glass ceiling over the Foundation’s shop, which reacts to that changing Provencal light which brought Van Gogh to this city in France in the first place.
A beautiful space and an excellent place to get a taste of the rich culture and artistic heritage of the region, it is a real must-see for anyone who has come, found a holiday rental in Provence, and fallen in love with the magical light and atmosphere of the area that has inspired so many great works of art throughout the ages...
A beautiful space and an excellent place to get a taste of the rich culture and artistic heritage of the region, it is a real must-see for anyone who has come, found a holiday rental in Provence, and fallen in love with the magical light and atmosphere of the area that has inspired so many great works of art throughout the ages...
