Arles - Hôtel-Dieu-Saint-Espirit

Arles´ old hospital "Hôtel-Dieu-Saint-Espirit" was erected in the 16th and 17th century. It got enlarged during the 19th century and by now it is known under the name "Espace Van Gogh".

Vincent van Gogh moved to Southern France in February 1888. He lived in Arles for 18 months, maybe this was his most productive time, as he created 187 paintings during this time. Van Gogh was at least twice in this hospital. On 23 December 1888 after a strange incident with Paul Gauguin, van Gogh cut off his earlobe - and was rushed to this hospital. He stayed for about two weeks, but returned to the hospital in February 1889, suffering from hallucinations. He left Arles a couple of months later and entered an asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.

Vincent painted the "Courtyard of the Hospital".

www.wikipaintings.org/en/vincent-van-gogh/the-courtyard-o...