The Complex Relationship Between Van Gogh and Gauguin: Why Van Gogh Did Not Like Gauguin

The radical but often misunderstood art of Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin is inseparably linked in the annals of art history. Despite their shared passion for art and their brief but impactful collaboration, their relationship was fraught with tension and misunderstanding. This article explores the reasons behind Vincent van Gogh's initial reservations and eventual dislike for Gauguin. It also provides insight into the broader context of their artistic collaborations and the psychological and cultural factors that influenced their interactions.

Establishing an Artist Retreat

In 1888, Vincent van Gogh hoped to establish an artist retreat, a place where like-minded individuals could focus on their artistic pursuits and build a community of shared ideals. In his famous letter to his brother Theo, van Gogh expressed his enthusiasm for the idea:

I would like to have a little house where I could rent some studios and see what kind of accommodation stuff we have in the Netherlands. Say in Auvers at Billiard, because that’s where they have the most artists… And then when it’s all taken, we can still find a nice place just outside of Paris or at Les Asnières. We can have it ready for March 1889 and all our little people will gather there.

Despite this promising vision, the establishment of a robust community did not materialize. However, it remains an interesting thought experiment to consider how different the art world might have been had this idealized environment come to fruition. Instead, van Gogh moved to Arles, in the south of France, where he purchased a yellow house. Here, he hoped to create a vibrant artistic community, and it was in this context that his initial hopes and subsequent disappointments with Gauguin played out.

The Visit of Paul Gauguin

Paul Gauguin visited the Yellow House in Arles with the intention of contributing to van Gogh's concept of an artist's retreat. The excitement of this visit is evident in van Gogh's enthusiasm, as he welcomed Gauguin to the house and painted sunflowers as a symbol of their artistic bond. However, as artists, they had different visions and approaches to art, which were not always in harmony.

Some of the most well-known artworks by van Gogh, such as his Sunflowers series, were painted during this time, with the first painting being created in August 1888, and the second recurring version in October 1888. Van Gogh saw these paintings as a personal gift to Gauguin, symbolizing the warmth and connection between them, despite the underlying tensions that would soon arise.

Psychological and Artistic Tensions

While van Gogh was welcoming and generous in his hospitality, Gauguin proved to be more selfish and sometimes rude. This difference in character and approach to living and working together contributed to the strain in their relationship. Gauguin, famously, was known for his impulsiveness and essays on his view of the Pacific Islands, which contrasted starkly with van Gogh's more subdued approach to life and art.

As van Gogh's mental health deteriorated, he became more eccentric and unpredictable. These changes, combined with the complicated dynamics of their shared artistic space, led to frequent disagreements and misunderstandings. The tension reached a boiling point in the weeks leading up to the infamous incident in February 1889, when van Gogh famously cut off part of his own ear.

The Impact and Legacy

The relationship between van Gogh and Gauguin, while tumultuous, was also a defining moment in their artistic careers. Despite their eventual break, their collaborations and shared experiences enriched both of their artistic legacies. The depictions of sunflowers, created as tokens of their friendship, remain iconic and widely recognized. Moreover, the story of their interactions provides a profound insight into the pressures and challenges faced by artists in close working relationships.

Moreover, the complex dynamics between van Gogh and Gauguin reflect broader themes in the art world: the challenges of living and working together, the impact of personal and psychological factors on artistic collaborations, and the role of shared ideals and individual differences in shaping artistic movements.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Vincent van Gogh admired Paul Gauguin and hoped to collaborate with him, their relationship eventually soured due to differences in personality, work ethic, and their visions for the artist's retreat. The story of their interactions—marked by warmer moments of collaboration and cooler periods of tension—offers a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in artistic partnerships. By examining the context of their relationship, we can gain deeper insights into the personal and psychological factors that influence the creation and evolution of art.

Keywords

Van Gogh, Gauguin, Yellow House, Artistic Tensions