One of the most indelible images in art is Vincent van Gogh’s portrait of his bedroom in the Yellow House in Arles, France. I’m sure you’ve seen it dozens of times. You can learn more about it in an article on the website of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
He painted three versions, the second of which in 1889, less than a year before he committed suicide at age 37. It hangs in The Art Institute of Chicago (worth a trip to the city, by the way, all on its own).
Amazingly, the Art Institute has recreated the bedroom in full size and is taking reservations for it on airbnb for only 10 bucks a night!
To be able to walk into one of the most famous paintings in the world must be quite an experience. It’s part of an exhibition in which all three versions of “The Bedroom” are exhibited together for the first time:
van Gogh’s Bedrooms features approximately 36 works by the artist, including paintings, drawings, and illustrated letters, as well as a selection of books and other ephemera known to have been in van Gogh’s possession. Enhancing the exploration of the artist’s works and his longing for a place of his own are several engaging interactive presentations. A digitally enhanced reconstruction of his bedroom allows viewers the chance to experience his state of mind and the physical reality of the space that so inspired him, while other enriching digital components bring to light significant recent scientific research on the three Bedroom paintings. The result is an innovative yet intimate look at one of the most beloved and often-misunderstood artists of all time.
Visit the museum’s website and find out more.
Van Gogh’s work was revolutionary, but unloved in his day. During his life he saw little appreciation of it and suffered from crippling mental illness. His paintings now find great acclaim, and sell for tens of millions of dollars, each with a unique combination of euphoria and melancholy … often in the same brushstroke. Van Gogh’s brother related that Vincent’s final words were “The sadness will last forever.”