Visit to the Van Gogh Foundation

I visited the “Van Gogh in Provence” exhibition which is beautifully curated and each painting has plenty of space in which to live, with the coloured background walls adding the perfect atmosphere.

It’s a real treat to be 2 feet away from some of the most famous paintings in modern history and being able to lean forward over the short railing and examine how every bristle was distributed to the canvas when loaded with paint. It's something I never imagined I would get the chance to do.

It’s busy, even for a Sunday morning, but the mood is one of ease and everyone is very welcoming. I pick up my ticket and I am informed that I’m the first Irish person to have visited the foundation this summer. The dull morning light outside compliments the crisp interior and it seems a perfect light for viewing some of the Dutch masters’ oils.

A young family are standing to admire some of the self-portraits and they mention “Van-Gogh’s selfies” in a light-hearted manner.

What I immediately find striking is how captivating and innovative Van Gogh’s paintings are. Viewing the paintings fills me with inspiration and I try to imagine exactly how he put the paintings together. Did he start with the vase first and move onto the flowers afterwards? Or did he come back to the painting to alter certain parts he wasn’t happy with? How much time had he spent on the painting? It’s great to see his more recognisable works and they feel like meeting old friends, but finding a piece that you aren’t as aware of and getting seduced by it is a magnificent feeling.

There is a delightful old wooden reading room on this floor where you can choose from any number of hardback books and journals to gain more insight into the art world.

Van Gogh’s most famous works may not be here, but there is more than enough to fascinate and pleasure the senses. A wonderful little aside is the abstract video piece which tells a fictional story about Vincent’s house in London before he decided to become an artist. It is called “Yes, These Eyes Are the Windows” by Saskia Olde Wolbers.

Continuing on to the level above; the work of Glenn Brown is exhibited and it is in the same vein as Van Gogh’s exhibition downstairs but adds a much more modern aspect along with sculptures and abstract drawings. The entire space is clean-cut and simple allowing the works of art to speak for themselves without hindrance.

Van Gogh had a simple idea to develop an artists’ collective during his time in Arles; although his utopian goal was not realised during his lifetime, he may be proud to witness the foundation as it exists today. The terrace at the very top of the building is worth a visit for the view over Arles and provides a nice end point the visit to the Van Gogh Foundation.

There are many restaurants nearby and the Place du Forum is only a 3 minute walk away to enjoy a meal before or after your visit.

Entrance to the Van Gogh Foundation is €9 full price or €7 reduced and with free admission for children under 12. It is open every day from 14th May – 11th September 2016 from 11am to 7pm, with a later opening of 9pm on Thursdays.

Guided tours are available in English during July and August: Monday to Friday at a cost of €4. Audio guides are also available to hire for your visit at a cost of €3.

The Van Gogh in Provence exhibition runs until 11th September 2016.