Van Gogh & Gauguin’s Letter Describing Their Brothel Visits Might Sell For $282K
Image via Martien van Gaalen / Shutterstock.com
The only known shared letter between Post-Impressionist artists Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin, illustrating their experiences at French brothels, is estimated to sell for €180,000 to €250,000 (US$203,000-US$282,000) at a 16 June sale by Parisian auction Drouot.
The four-page letter, which can be viewed here, was addressed to fellow renowned Post-Impressionist painter Émile Bernard in November 1888, not long after Van Gogh completed his most famous works such as Sunflowers and Bedroom in Arles, as reported by CNN Style.
Van Gogh, known to have frequented brothels and paint prostitutes, described Gauguin as an “unspoiled creature with the instincts of a wild beast.”
“With Gauguin, blood and sex have the edge over ambition,” he added.
Van Gogh elaborated that the two had “made some excursions in the brothels,” where they imagined they’d visit “often to work.”
He then detailed how their visits would help with their art. “Gauguin has a canvas in progress of the same night café that I also painted, but with figures seen in the brothels. It promises to become a beautiful thing.”
Gauguin added a note on the third and fourth pages, writing, “Don’t listen to Vincent. As you know, he’s prone to admire and ditto to be indulgent.”
The two ended their friendship after Van Gogh famously severed his ear and delivered it to a brothel.
[via CNN Style, cover image via Martien van Gaalen / Shutterstock.com]
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