Vincent Van Gogh 99 - The Yellow House Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

Vincent had arrived in Arles on 20th February 1888.
His creative genius sprouted while he lived with Theo in Paris.
Though initially influenced by the Impressionists,
Modern art and the Japanese art of pointillism or dots.
He gradually broke free from imitating other artistes,
Gradually, evolved his own unique style and technique.

In Arles, his creativity flowered into magnificent art work.
It was just the beginning of spring with tender buds on trees.
He walked miles and miles to catch a suitable spot to paint.
As summer approached, the sun streamed into every corner,
Vincent continued to spend long hours ofsketching and painting
In the blazing sun, creating master pieces, one after another.

When the sun severely affected Vincent, he fell ill
With fatigue, sun burn and lack of proper food.
It was during this period he met the friendly Postman Roulin
Who showed him the ‘Yellow House' for an affordable rent.
He shifted to this spacious house, which overlooked a park.
Vincent loved this park and named it as the 'Poet's Garden'.

Vincent invited his friend Paul Gauguin to come to Arles
And stay with him in the ‘Yellow house' in Place Lamartine.
He was so excited to have his friend that he decorated the room
With red floor tiles, pale violet walls and sun flowers paintings.
Paul Gauguin arrived and the first few days were happy days,
Chatting and painting together, with long walks in the park.

As the cold winter arrived, Paul and Vincent began heated discussions,
Gauguin called Vincent ‘blind', criticized his sun flowers as ‘violent yellows.
As days went by, he could not bear Gauguin's harsh words and accusations.
He had hoped the 'The Yellow House' to be a hearty place for artistes,
Instead, he was heart broken, as if a volcano had burst within him,
The motion, rhythm of Vincent's life snapped and broke into many fragments.

A Biographical Poem