Van Gogh Day – December 23
Vincent Van Gogh was one of the most important artists of the 19th century. He expressed his view of the world with unique colors and paint strokes that made his works instantly identifiable with a mesmerizing combination of texture and light. His art will be ever overshadowed by this anniversary, however.
On this day in 1888, Vincent sliced off his ear. There is much speculation to the exact reason, but it is likely due to a culmination of events. He’d received a letter from his younger brother, Theo, that day explaining that he was engaged to be wed. Vincent relied heavily on this brother’s support both emotionally (he’d stated that Theo was his only friend) and financially (Theo was his Paris art dealer and patron that had connected him with the art world in France). Perhaps he feared being replaced by the new wife.
On this day he also had an argument (one of many) with his roommate, artist Paul Gauguin, with whom he shared a house in Arles, France. Theo and Vincent had helped Gauguin sell several artworks in Paris and both painters had been looking for an inspiring and inexpensive location in southern France to focus on new projects. Their nine weeks as roommates had been fruitful creatively; Van Gogh finished 36 paintings and Gaugin finished 21. During the argument, Vincent threated Gaugin with a razor blade before turning it on himself and cutting off his own ear.
There is also the woman who received his ear, Gabrielle, an 18-year-old housekeeper at the brothel Vincent frequented. He presented a wrapped package to her the street and bade her to keep it safe. She feinted after unwrapping the gift. There is a question to the matter of their relationship and whether she added to his stresses or if he saw her as an emotional ally.
The event was the first undeniable sign of a mental illness that would plague Van Gogh for the rest of his life. As if lunacy was a bridge to his fate, he painted his most famous work, Starry Night, shortly thereafter, while locked away in the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole mental asylum.
Music Du Jour: Van Gogh playlist; Soundtrack to Van Gogh Alive Experience
Films Du Jour:
- At Eternity’s Gate
- Loving Vincent
- Vincent Van Gogh: Painted with Words
- Lust for Life
Miscellaneous:
- The Van Gogh Alive Experience is in multiple cities
- Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam
- Starry Night umbrella
- Van Gogh face masks
- Cashmere scarfs
- Van Gogh inspired beautiful cakes and such
Snacks du Jour:
- Local foods and drinks in Arles France
- Other French appetizers
- Dutch snacks
Cocktail Du Jour – Van Gogh Cocktail
Recipe from Palettes Restaurant in Denver Colorado:
- 5oz vodka (Van Gogh Vodka)
- 75 oz ginger liqueur
- 1 oz blueberry juice
- Splash of lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a skewer of blueberries.
Mocktail Du Jour – Van Gogh Mocktail
- 5 oz non-alcoholic vodka
- 5 oz ginger syrup
- 5 oz blueberry juice
- Splash of lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a skewer of blueberries.
Beer Du Jour
Olde Mother Brewing Company’s Impressionist IPA or any Dutch beer (Heineken, Amstel, Grolsch, etc.)
Wine Du Jour
Any provincial wine. Here’s a grape map.
Use freshly squeezed citrus in your cocktails and mocktails when called for – It makes such a difference! Here’s a reliable and inexpensive juicer.
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“Courtauld Gallery, London” by y.caradec is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
