Seventy days. That’s all Vincent van Gogh spent at the Maison du Docteur Gachet.
Welcome to the Maison du Docteur Gachet. This house stands as a testament to a friendship between an artist and his physician. It is a place where creativity flourished and where Van Gogh spent his final days.
Paul Ferdinand Gachet acquired this country house in 1872. It quickly became a hub for artistic exchange. Artists like Cézanne Pissarro and Guillaumin gathered here. They explored the surroundings painting in various mediums. The attic served as their etching studio. Gachet himself was an artist working under the name Paul van Ryssel.
Van Gogh arrived here in May 1890. His brother Theo entrusted him to Dr. Gachet’s care. Van Gogh found a true friend in the doctor. He even said they resembled each other physically and mentally. Gachet advised Van Gogh to paint to combat his melancholy. The doctor and his family surrounded him with friendship.
The initial euphoria did not last. Van Gogh worked relentlessly producing over 70 paintings in his final months. His sensitivity shone through his vibrant canvases. He teetered on the edge of a breakdown. The extreme solitude was something from which no one could save him.
On July 27 Van Gogh shot himself. He returned to the Ravoux Inn. Despite the care of Dr. Mazery and Dr. Gachet Van Gogh died on July 29. He was in his brother’s arms. The funeral took place in Auvers. Several of Van Gogh’s paintings were created at the Maison du Docteur Gachet. These include the two portraits of Dr. Gachet. Other paintings are Mademoiselle Gachet in the Garden and Mademoiselle Gachet at the Piano.
The interior of the house reflects what Van Gogh saw in 1890. It was cluttered like an antique shop. Prominent impressionist paintings were visible. The dining room and kitchen showcase daily life and the household’s unique character. The first floor displays the art of Dr. Gachet and his son. Their works are presented without comparing them to the giants they knew. You’ll discover unpublished and moving pieces by the father. There are also oil paintings by his son.
The garden retains traces of Van Gogh. He immortalized the ornamental garden in two paintings. The courtyard is where he had lunch with his brother Theo and family. The view of the Oise valley is unforgettable.
Dr. Gachet was more than a doctor. He fancied himself an artist and engraver. One blog claims each artist adopted an emblem to distinguish their work. Pissarro was a flower. Guillaumin was a cat. Cézanne was a hanged man. Gachet was a duck.
After Dr. Gachet’s death his children donated many works to French museums. These donations included nine Van Goghs eight Cézannes and works by other artists. This collection is now at the Musée d’Orsay.
The Maison du Docteur Gachet remains a place of memory. It evokes scents of wax ink turpentine and flowers. It reminds us of the intersection of art medicine and friendship. Take a moment to appreciate the legacy of this remarkable place. Consider the lives that intertwined here leaving an indelible mark on the world of art.