Thank you India, your art posts are such a lovely ‘pause for thought’. 🌻 There is something joyous but there’s also melancholy, captured so well by Van Gogh. If anyone is unable to get to the National Gallery for the Poets and Lovers exhibition, it will be in cinemas from 6th November as part of the Exhibition on Screen series - it’s a great opportunity to learn more about Van Gogh and other artists coming later in the season 🧡
Fabulous painting. For years I had a shower curtain, (purchased as a student in the late 1980s...) with a giant version of that painting on - it cheered up an otherwise awful bathroom :) I'd missed the memo on the VVG exhibition: tickets purchased! Thanks India :)
When I was 16 we went on a school trip to mainland Europe. One of the highlights was going to the Van Gogh museum and seeing the iconic Sunflowers. I stared at it in wonder and practically had tears in my eyes, a security guard then came over and seeing my awe proceeded to tell me it was a copy as the original was on loan ( now they would have a card saying that, then they didn’t) he then proceeded to ask me out, I declined saying that if he could ruin my experience like that what else would he ruin. He laughed so loud he disturbed the place and my teacher who was a Nun, said I I was even trying to corrupt foreign men. So Van Gogh will always be a favourite!
The van Gogh museum in Amsterdam absolutely knocked me out. I'd never, for example, seen the almond blossom before. I love the sound of the roses, must pursue....don't remember seeing them at the Met - perhaps it was a special exhibition with loans.
Isn't it funny - there's one at the Met, one at the National Gallery in DC, and I have no memory of either. There's also at least one (and maybe another of wild roses) in the museum in Amsterdam, but none of these registered for me whereas the almond blossom was and is as if burnt onto my retina (without pain, i.e. unforgettable).
Love this, we recently saw Sunflowers in Amsterdam and had an art guide who was so knowledgeable. She said (amongst other things) that there is doubt about him shooting himself - there is a theory (there are many!) that he was friends with the local kids, who he hung out with and drank with, and they were messing and accidentally shot him, and he didn’t want to get them into trouble so blamed himself.
She also said that if it wearnt for his brother Theo’s beloved wife (Theo died not long after Vincent) we wouldn’t have the collection of Van Gogh’s as we do - she put the collection together and took it into the world, to ensure Theo’s legacy was maintained. I loved seeing the Sunflowers in all their glory but my favourite was the tree series. Just beautiful. Thanks for reminding me x
Yes, his wife was EXTRAORDINARY. There's also a theory that he didn't cut off his ear, or part of it - that it was Gauguin waving a sabre around. But why would Gauguin be carrying a sabre? Seems unlikely. I love the trees too.
She also said that VG was insanely jealous of Gaugin because he was selling smaller pieces of art on a fairly regular basis, due to this ex banking clients who he stayed in touch with once he left the industry to persue art. Vincent couldn’t work out why Paul was able to consistently have an income, whereas Vincent always struggled. I loved such a detailed view of these men, she absolutely bought them alive for us. Such a good way to see art galleries, for those of us who know nothing about it usually.
Good morning from Toronto, India and friends! I love the reminder to re-look, to really look, at known things. A few years ago I went to an exhibit at the Met in NYC. On a lone wall, beautifully painted, was Van Gogh’s Roses, which he painted after one of his asylum stays. Just that painting, which is fairly sizeable. You could almost fall into the creamy swirl of petals (although I guess that would get you arrested ;). I also learned that recent refurbishments had revealed that the roses, which to us look like a soft rich white, were originally PINK, and would have popped like mad against the leaf-green background. I love thinking about that.
Enjoyed the Delia interview too, India, especially as she’s rather less known to us in Canada.
Am I imagining that — not so many years ago — I stood in a room where there were many variations of VG's sunflowers on the walls, perhaps with some other artists’ depiction of them, too? While I am not a great water lily fan (in reality as well as in art) I do think it’s intriguing (and edifying) when an artist paints the same subject repeatedly. Cf Morandi, one of the innumerable reasons for visiting Bologna.
God, I so love Morandi. But now you say that about the sunflowers it does sort of ring a dim bell. Or maybe I'm just being suggestible? Must investigate. I've def only seen sunflowers in the flesh in Amsterdam, though.
I love Van Gogh and remembered seeing 5 sunflower paintings all together in Amsterdam. 20 plus years ago. (In my ignorance I had not realised that he had painted so many.). If you go to the town of Auvers-sur-Oise where he died you can go on a tour and see for example the church he painted and a copy of his work next to it. It’s great for kids but also adults. His grave is there also.
Lovely interview with DS. I learnt how to cook with her Complete Cookery Course and still swear by her Summer collection. There are certain recipes of hers I can recite word for word -apple crumble is one of them.
I moved onto Mary Berry and Nigella when I started making more cakes and when we bought an aga, but Delia is the OG for so much- I owe her a lot. Think we underestimate how important cook books are in our lives.
Thank you! She was SO GREAT. I absolutely loved her. The books have really stood the test of time, as you say - Summer Collection is fantastic. Agree re cook books - I could map out my whole life in them. Maybe that's a post, actually.
Beautifully captured India.. I went to see the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibition at the Nec Bham Friday .. it was so incredibly moving both myself & my daughter looked at each other and were independently crying 😢.. the most amazing exhibition I’ve ever attended.
Thank you India, your art posts are such a lovely ‘pause for thought’. 🌻 There is something joyous but there’s also melancholy, captured so well by Van Gogh. If anyone is unable to get to the National Gallery for the Poets and Lovers exhibition, it will be in cinemas from 6th November as part of the Exhibition on Screen series - it’s a great opportunity to learn more about Van Gogh and other artists coming later in the season 🧡
Fabulous painting. For years I had a shower curtain, (purchased as a student in the late 1980s...) with a giant version of that painting on - it cheered up an otherwise awful bathroom :) I'd missed the memo on the VVG exhibition: tickets purchased! Thanks India :)
lovely piece!
When I was 16 we went on a school trip to mainland Europe. One of the highlights was going to the Van Gogh museum and seeing the iconic Sunflowers. I stared at it in wonder and practically had tears in my eyes, a security guard then came over and seeing my awe proceeded to tell me it was a copy as the original was on loan ( now they would have a card saying that, then they didn’t) he then proceeded to ask me out, I declined saying that if he could ruin my experience like that what else would he ruin. He laughed so loud he disturbed the place and my teacher who was a Nun, said I I was even trying to corrupt foreign men. So Van Gogh will always be a favourite!
Ew, what a massive creep. Not super impressed with your nun, either! Still, glad the Van Gogh love survived!
Read the interview with Delia, she seems lovely and looks amazing.
She was absolutely great and she does look fantastic.
So moving, seeing the Gauguin painting made me a little 😢
I felt quite moved writing it. Poor everybody : (
Also they're funereal sunflowers, aren't they? Nothing sunny about them.
😢 🌻
The van Gogh museum in Amsterdam absolutely knocked me out. I'd never, for example, seen the almond blossom before. I love the sound of the roses, must pursue....don't remember seeing them at the Met - perhaps it was a special exhibition with loans.
I want to see the roses too now.
Isn't it funny - there's one at the Met, one at the National Gallery in DC, and I have no memory of either. There's also at least one (and maybe another of wild roses) in the museum in Amsterdam, but none of these registered for me whereas the almond blossom was and is as if burnt onto my retina (without pain, i.e. unforgettable).
India! So happy to have finally subscribed, about to dive into your archives. Happy Sunday to you! xo
EMMA! I'm extremely flattered. Happy Sunday to you too! X
Love this, we recently saw Sunflowers in Amsterdam and had an art guide who was so knowledgeable. She said (amongst other things) that there is doubt about him shooting himself - there is a theory (there are many!) that he was friends with the local kids, who he hung out with and drank with, and they were messing and accidentally shot him, and he didn’t want to get them into trouble so blamed himself.
She also said that if it wearnt for his brother Theo’s beloved wife (Theo died not long after Vincent) we wouldn’t have the collection of Van Gogh’s as we do - she put the collection together and took it into the world, to ensure Theo’s legacy was maintained. I loved seeing the Sunflowers in all their glory but my favourite was the tree series. Just beautiful. Thanks for reminding me x
Yes, his wife was EXTRAORDINARY. There's also a theory that he didn't cut off his ear, or part of it - that it was Gauguin waving a sabre around. But why would Gauguin be carrying a sabre? Seems unlikely. I love the trees too.
She also said that VG was insanely jealous of Gaugin because he was selling smaller pieces of art on a fairly regular basis, due to this ex banking clients who he stayed in touch with once he left the industry to persue art. Vincent couldn’t work out why Paul was able to consistently have an income, whereas Vincent always struggled. I loved such a detailed view of these men, she absolutely bought them alive for us. Such a good way to see art galleries, for those of us who know nothing about it usually.
Fascinating. I am so pro a guide, and if not a human guide then an audio guide. Makes a huge difference.
Good morning from Toronto, India and friends! I love the reminder to re-look, to really look, at known things. A few years ago I went to an exhibit at the Met in NYC. On a lone wall, beautifully painted, was Van Gogh’s Roses, which he painted after one of his asylum stays. Just that painting, which is fairly sizeable. You could almost fall into the creamy swirl of petals (although I guess that would get you arrested ;). I also learned that recent refurbishments had revealed that the roses, which to us look like a soft rich white, were originally PINK, and would have popped like mad against the leaf-green background. I love thinking about that.
Enjoyed the Delia interview too, India, especially as she’s rather less known to us in Canada.
Happy Sunday, all.
Good morning! I've never seen this - it sounds absolutely wonderful. And thank you re Delia. She was a blast.
The audio really works here 👌
Good to know - I'm never really sure it adds anything - thank you!
Another fascinating read. Thank you India.
You are, as ever, extremely welcome!
Am I imagining that — not so many years ago — I stood in a room where there were many variations of VG's sunflowers on the walls, perhaps with some other artists’ depiction of them, too? While I am not a great water lily fan (in reality as well as in art) I do think it’s intriguing (and edifying) when an artist paints the same subject repeatedly. Cf Morandi, one of the innumerable reasons for visiting Bologna.
God, I so love Morandi. But now you say that about the sunflowers it does sort of ring a dim bell. Or maybe I'm just being suggestible? Must investigate. I've def only seen sunflowers in the flesh in Amsterdam, though.
I love Van Gogh and remembered seeing 5 sunflower paintings all together in Amsterdam. 20 plus years ago. (In my ignorance I had not realised that he had painted so many.). If you go to the town of Auvers-sur-Oise where he died you can go on a tour and see for example the church he painted and a copy of his work next to it. It’s great for kids but also adults. His grave is there also.
Thank you, I didn't realise that was where his grave was. How absolutely amazing to see five together! It must have been incredible.
Lovely interview with DS. I learnt how to cook with her Complete Cookery Course and still swear by her Summer collection. There are certain recipes of hers I can recite word for word -apple crumble is one of them.
I moved onto Mary Berry and Nigella when I started making more cakes and when we bought an aga, but Delia is the OG for so much- I owe her a lot. Think we underestimate how important cook books are in our lives.
Thank you! She was SO GREAT. I absolutely loved her. The books have really stood the test of time, as you say - Summer Collection is fantastic. Agree re cook books - I could map out my whole life in them. Maybe that's a post, actually.
Beautifully captured India.. I went to see the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibition at the Nec Bham Friday .. it was so incredibly moving both myself & my daughter looked at each other and were independently crying 😢.. the most amazing exhibition I’ve ever attended.
How wonderful. Not a bit surprised by the reaction though - there's something almost visceral about them.