If you haven't heard, the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, is featuring an immersive art experience called Van Gogh Alive through April of 2021. This is the first time the exhibit has been shown in the U.S., and it features thousands of large-scale images of Vincent van Gogh's work. Since travelling to Florida isn't possible for many of us, here are some books and DVDs on Van Gogh so you can immerse yourself in his work from the comfort of your home.
While browsing the list of recommendations below, enjoy this video of Don McLean's musical tribute to Vincent van Gogh along with images from the artist.
During a self-imposed exile in Arles and Auvers-Sur-Oise, France, Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh develops his unique, colorful style of painting. While grappling with religion, mental illness and a tumultuous friendship with French artist Paul Gauguin, van Gogh begins to focus on his relationship with eternity rather than the pain his art causes him in the present.
This book tells the story of Van Gogh' s time in Arles. Based on original research, it reveals discoveries about the artist and give an account of his time there. He loved walking up into the hills with the ruined abbey of Montmajour and drew and painted landscapes there. He went to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer where he saw the Mediterranean for the first time. He painted portraits of friends and locals, and started his flower still life paintings, culminating in the Sunflowers. He rented the Yellow House and invited Paul Gauguin to join him. This encounter had a profound impact on both of the artists.
This collection of Vincent van Gogh’s letters opens a window into the mind of one of history’s greatest artists. Giving rare insight into his relationships with family, friends, and other artists, the letters describe his doubts, fears, and his overriding passion for art. Introductions by the letters editors from the Van Gogh Museum highlight the most recent discoveries and theories surrounding his work and personal history. Illustrated with original manuscript letters, sketches, paintings, and photographs of correspondents, this book brings Van Gogh’s story and work to life.
Done with oil painted animation. A year after the death of Vincent van Gogh, Postman Roulin gets his son, Armand, to deliver the artist's final letter written to his now late brother, Theo, to some other worthy recipient. Although disdainful of the chore, Armand travels to Auvers-sur-Oise where a close companion to Vincent, Dr. Gachet, lives. Armand meets many people in the village who not only knew Vincent, but who were also models and inspirations for his art. In doing so, Armand becomes fascinated in the fate of van Gogh as numerous suspicious details fail to add up.
Naifeh and Smith have written an detailed, readable portrait of Vincent van Gogh. Working with full cooperation from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, they have accessed untapped materials to bring understanding to the larger-than-life mythology of the artist: his struggles to find his place in the world; his relationship with his brother Theo; and his move to Provence, where he painted some of the best-loved works in Western art. The authors also shed light on many unexplored aspects of Van Gogh’s inner world: his romantic life; his depression and mental illness; and the cloudy circumstances surrounding his death.
