Throughout history artists have worked together and inspired each other. Possibly one of the most recognized pairs of artists who had profound influences on each other was Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin. One reason this is so well known is because of the collection of Van Gogh’s letters, which chronicles his artistic development first-hand, is an incredible record of the artist’s journey which we do not have in such great detail for many other artists. In addition, Van Gogh and Gauguin lived and worked together in a yellow house in Arles during 1888 called the Studio of the South. It was here that Van Gogh painted Sunflowers to decorate Gauguin’s room and here that the artists collaborated constantly learning from each other’s style and techniques.
The link between these two artists is so great that exhibitions have been held around these two artists and their influences on each other. The Art Institute of Chicago had an exhibition a number of years ago called Van Gogh and Gauguin: The Studio of the South. On the site you will find information about the artists as well as a slide show and maps of Arles. In addition, The Van Gogh Museum has an interactive site which provides quotes from letters and images of paintings by the artists.
Below are some of Van Gogh’s paintings from this time.
Self-Portrait Dedicated to Paul Gauguin, September, 1888
Paul Gauguin’s Armchair, December, 1888
