Vincent van Gogh: The Lost Arles Sketchbook

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Late in life, Vincent van Gogh kept a sketchbook within a humble account ledger given to him by Joseph and Marie Ginoux, owners of the Café de la Gare in Arles. This artefact, hidden for over 120 years, resurfaces as an extraordinary treasure. For the first time, Van Gogh's lost sketchbook reveals sixty-five sketches created during two tumultuous years of his life, including landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and a self-portrait. These invaluable drawings shed light on Van Gogh's final years, just before his tragic stay in Auvers-sur-Oise, and enhance our understanding of his iconic works like The Yellow House, The Night Café, and The Starry Night. Art historian Bogomila Welsh-Ovcharov meticulously analyzes each drawing within the broader context of Van Gogh's career, particularly during his time in Arles and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence from February 1888 to May 1890. This groundbreaking volume features facsimile reproductions of all sketches and is richly illustrated with drawings, photographs, and paintings that situate the sketchbook within Van Gogh's oeuvre and art history. The remarkable discovery offers fresh insights into the life and work of one of the world's most beloved artists.