Fondation Vincent Van Gogh visitor guide

Visit Fondation Vincent Van Gogh, France

The Fondation Vincent Van Gogh is in Arles in the south of France where Van Gogh spent one of the most productive periods of his life.

Explore the Fondation Vincent Van Gogh

France This Way review: It is disappointing that there are only 2/3 works by Van Gogh on display however the collection is interesting and it would be a shame to visit Arles and not see any of Van Gogh's work.

Fondation Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent Van Gogh was a Dutch painter who lived from 1853 to 1890. He is one of the most important artists of the Western World and continues to exert influence over contemporary artists.

In February 1888 Van Gogh moved to Arles and lived here for 15 months until May 1989. This was to be the time when Van Gogh was at his most prolific and he created his finest works.

In 2014 the Fondation Vincent Van Gogh was inaugurated to explore the work and legacy of Van Gogh and to create a centre for contemporary art in Arles where Van Gogh had dreamed of creating an artist's retreat.

Its creator, Yolande Clerque, invited contemporary artists to create or donate works dedicated to Van Gogh. Francis Bacon created a painting specifically for the foundation and many other artists also contributed.

in 2008 Luc Hoffman established a permanent framework for artists to preserve the memory of Van Gogh. The foundation now has a contemporary art collection.

At the time of writing the foundation had two pieces by Van Gogh in its permanent collection; 'Wheat field with rising sun' painted in 1888 and 'Evening (after Millet)' painted in Saint-Remy de Provence in 1989.

'Starry Night (Over the Rhone)' painted in Arles in 1888 is also on display and has been donated to the foundation with the right to usufruct.

Most of the museum space is given over to contemporary artists. As well as Francis Bacon the artists include Vassily Kandinsky, Gaelle Choisne, Jean-Marie Appriou and Mariko Mori.

The Fondation Vincent Van Gogh is open every day except Monday. It can be found at 35 Rue du Docteur Fanton, near to the Pont de Trinquetaille on the river Rhone in Arles.

The Fondation is housed in the Hôtel Leautaud de Donines a historical building that passed into public ownership and was renovated to house the contemporary art collection.

An installation of glass shapes designed to both reflect light and absorb UV rays has been designed by Raphael Hefti and installed on the ceiling of the shop in the foundation.

You can get an excellent view of this from the terrace on the top floor of the building.

Fondation Vincent Van Gogh

Attractions nearby

The Fondation Vincent Van Gogh is in the lovely town of Arles where there are lots of interesting sights to see including its fabulous ampitheatre.

Van Gogh fans can visit the Espace Van Gogh and see the garden of the hospital that Van Gogh reproduced in some of his paintings.

More art works can be seen at the LUMA parc in Arles which is also worth visiting to see the fabulous Frank Gehry building and wander round the gardens.

Nimes is another interesting town with lots of historical buildings to explore.

You can find more travel ideas in the Bouches-du-Rhone guide and the Provence guide.

To make travel arrangements to visit Fondation Vincent Van Gogh see HERE