Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
left on Rue Président Wilson, and find Espace Van Gogh (on the right through the arch).
There's an easel in the courtyard near the postcard racks.
Espace Van Gogh Easel:
Vincentwascheckedintothelocalhospital—today'sEspace
Van Gogh cultural center (the Espace is free, but only the courtyard is open to the public).
Itsurroundsaflowerycourtyardthattheartistlovedandpaintedwhenhewasbeingtreated
for blood loss as well as for hallucinations and severe depression that left him bedridden
for a month. The citizens of Arles circulated a petition demanding that the mad Dutchman
be kept under medical supervision. Félix Rey, Vincent's kind doctor, worked out a com-
promise: The artist could leave during the day so that he could continue painting, but he
had to sleep at the hospital at night. Look through the postcards sold in the courtyard and
find a painting of Vincent's ward showing nuns attending to patients in a gray hall
(Ward
of Arles Hospital).
