in the footsteps...

...of Vincent Van Gogh and one can't get much closer than here in the courtyard of St- Paul-de-Mausole in the town of St-Remy-de Provence.
Vincent was a voluntary patient here between May 1889 and May 1890 and during his time here was inspired by the jagged peaks of Les Alpilles and the Provencal light, cypress and olive trees and sunflowers.

He painted here in the courtyard and was in the area around the building painting many of his, now, most famous pieces The Irises, The Reaper, The Wheat Field and The Starry Night.
Olive trees still grow in groves with Les Alpilles in the background (extra) and it really was a privilege and  emotional to be here.

St Paul still has only women residents who paint as part of their therapy in an artists community that Vincent would surely have been proud of.
Their art is for sale and St P de M carries on the tradition.