Vincent's Arles

20th February 1888, he left as snow fell in Paris, seeking warmth, bright light and colour. Provence beckoned, Arles awaited. Cold welcome soon turned warm, Vincent keen to explore, keen to advance painting style, bold colours, dynamic brush strokes. May day and the yellow house his base, hopes of a collective studio. Daring colour adventure begins, townscapes, countryside, ordinary people, self portraits. 23rd October, his good friend Paul arrives, dedicates a self portrait to him. Painting solace the quest. But two months later, no more, their characters and artistic temperaments clash. Friendship ends. Collective studio shattered. 23rd December mental breakdown, absinthe takes hold, left earlobe severed, but still he paints. His postman friend Roulin worried, mental strife continues. Townsfolk complain of disruption. Red-headed madman must go. March 1889 police shut yellow house, what now for Vincent? 8th May, Arles ends after 300 paintings and drawings, 25 kilometres to Saint Rémy voluntary internment. Personal demons, tortured soul, but still he paints, indeed his best, 143 paintings – Starry Night, at the pinnacle of his genius. On to Auvers-sur-Oise and journey’s end, July wheat fields painted, and then its over, suicide in that painted location.