It was Arles and the light of Provence that determined the painting of Vincent van Gogh.

One hundred years after his journey, it is very difficult to choose the best way to pay him tribute and
celebrate this anniversary from amongst the multitude of temptations and inner effervescence that
possessed him. His need for human warmth impelled him to paint several figures amongst his friends
and neighbours : the Roulin family, Madame Ginoux, the belgian painter Eugene Boch, without forget-
ting the zouave ant the mousme. Another figure, amongst those I have chosen to evoke, and inspired by
one of his self-portraits, is Gauguin, who was in some ways, his tool.

All these figures surround Vincent, who is, at once, already absent and yet, forever present.

François Bret.