Vincent Van Gogh Various symptoms are described in Van Gogh’s letters such as hallucinations, nightmares, absent-mindedness, insomnia, and anxiety. His infamous act of cutting off his earlobe and giving it to a pros-titute and his eventual suicide leave little or no doubt that Van Gogh was mentally unstable. It’s also well-documented that the famous painter was hospitalized in the mental clinic of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. On his good days, he would often paint in the institution’s walled garden. He was also giv-en an extra room inside the clinic to use as a studio, where he produced a series of works, including copies of prints after paintings by artists like Rembrandt and Millet. But unfortunately, Vincent’s men-tal health continued to fluctuate. During one period of extreme confusion, he ate some of his oil paint, following which he was restricted to drawing for a while. Despite such relapses, the legendary painter was exceptionally productive at Saint-Rémy, where he completed around 150 paintings in less than a year.

About the PiecesThe initial works of art were created as self portraits by clients who attend the Expressive Art Program, created and facilitated by Stacy Spinazze.
Two of the portraits are recognizable faces, Abe Lincoln and Vincent Van Gogh. They both experienced mental illness in their lifetime. The goal with this combination of these portraits is to have you, the viewer ask, “what do these faces have in common? Why are Lincoln and Van Gogh with these other faces? ”
By exploring this question, it is our hope that you, the viewer will discover the connection and message that anyone can be affected by mental illness.
Thank You
David C and Lara M Lovell FoundationThe Toledo Public Library Technology DepartmentThe Toledo Street Newspaper