Van Gogh painting was rapidly evolving through the influence of other artists. Having learned the freshness of visual impression from Hals, and an understanding that colour can be employed to express something itself from the work of both Paolo Veronese and Eugene Delacroix van Gogh was ready for more. Impressed by the work of Peter Paul Rubens, Van Gogh re—located to Antwerp in Belgium and enrolled in Antwerp Academy. While in Antwerp, he was exposed to and influenced further by the work of Rubens. Rubens mode of direct notation and his ability to express a mood by a combinatiOn of colours would, in time, become a hallmark of later van Gogh works. At this time van Gogh was also influenced by the Impressionist and Japonist movements, the former through the work …show more content…
In the end, only Gauguin went to Arles, where for a short while they worked together. Unfortunately, differing personalities and artistic vision led to the relationship breaking down and it was following an argument between the two artists on Christmas Eve 1888, that van Gogh famously self—mutilated by cutting off part of his left ear. In the period following, van Gogh produced a work entitled "Self-portrait with Pipe and Bandaged Ear and "La Berceuse”. However, all was not well and by April 1889, van Gogh had sought sanctuary in the asylum at Saint-Rémy de Provence, as he feared of losing his capacity to work which he believed guarded his sanity. Van Gogh spent twelve months in the asylum where he painted intermittently. Some of the works from this time are "Garden of the Asylum”, "Olive Trees”, "Les Alpilles” as well as portraits of asylum staff. The best works from this period are bolder and more visionary than those completed while he was in Arles. In May 1890, van Gogh returned to Paris. He initially stayed with his brother Theo, before moving