Starry Night: Van Gogh at the Asylum is a fresh insight into the last year of the artist’s life which was mostly spent at Saint-Paul-de Mausoleum in the South of France. The author, a leading Van Gogh specialist has woven new material from the Asylum with his extensive knowledge of the artist, his life and work. This well written and lavishly illustrated book will capture hearts and minds.

Vincent Van Gogh was a highly literate man who knew French, German and English as well as his native Dutch. He was a great reader, who loved Dickens and who read the complete works of Shakespeare in English during his stay at Saint-Paul. He produced many paintings and drawings during the year he voluntarily spent as a patient whose mental health problems had caused him great distress culminating in the severing of his own ear.

Martin Bailey has meticulously charted that year using documents from the asylum which for the first time offer descriptions of the buildings, other residents and glimpses of the life led by `Monsieur Vincent’ from May 1889 to May 1890.

It is possible to see the viewpoints for the works of this time, whether from windows, or the interior, and occasions when Vincent was well enough to travel into the surrounding countryside. Many of the paintings were sent to Paris to his brother Theo, which is how they have survived. The masterpieces included wheat fields, olive groves, cypresses and sunsets.

Vincent also wrote letters when he was well enough, which alongside this new research give a fascinating insight into the artist. Sadly there are so many lost works. The story of some of these is an intriguing work of detection and revelation by the author.

Starry Night Van Gogh at the Asylum By Martin Bailey  pub:  White Lion Publishing. £25.00 Hardback