The Yellow House: Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin Side by Side [Hardcover]

Susan Goldman Rubin (Author), Jos. A. Smith (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2001 | Grade Level: K and up

Beginning with their ambition to found an artists' colony and ending with each artist going his own way, this is the story of how, during autumn 1888, Van Gogh and Gauguin came to live together for two months, in Arles, in the south of France. It is not only the story of their friendship, it is also about how artists generate and share ideas and how they work. While they lived together, these artists had very different beliefs about art, which can be demonstrated through the subjects they painted, side by side. Reproductions of ten paintings by the men are included, so that their styles are approaches are evident. The contrast between the men (in appearance, manner and artistic approach) will provide ample material for discussion with children.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This intriguing introduction to two esteemed painters, published in association with the Art Institute of Chicago, spans two months at the end of 1888, when Gauguin accepted van Gogh's invitation to live and work at his yellow house in Arles. Laced with quotes from letters the artists wrote to others, Rubin's (Margaret Bourke-White) narrative underscores the contrasts between the duo's living and painting habits. For van Gogh, "Thick swirls of strong colors expressed his feelings his love of nature, his joy in painting," while Gauguin "painted more slowly.... He spread the paints smoothly in careful shapes." Van Gogh painted from nature, Gauguin "from his imagination feelings, fantasies, and dreams." The author's incisive, accessible analysis of some of the paintings created during their time together accompanies crisp reproductions of their work. Smith's (Circus Train) lifelike watercolor and gouache portraits effectively convey the distinctive characteristics of each man as well as the particulars of the setting and era. Sadly, their constant bickering, according to the author, eventually culminated in a quarrel that ended with van Gogh cutting off part of his own ear and precipitated Gauguin's departure from Arles. Rubin concludes with concise biographical sketches of each artist. This appealing volume will likely spark an interest in the artists' complete works. Ages 5-9.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Gr 2-5-For a brief period in 1888, two of the world's greatest artists lived and worked together in Arles, in southern France. Though only lasting about eight weeks, this tumultuous period and relationship influenced the work of both men. Rubin does an excellent job of contrasting their two styles (and temperaments) and clearly describes how differently each one treated the same subject. The illustrations include reproductions of their paintings and excellent pictures of the men at work and home. The artwork isn't captioned, so careful looking and reading of the text is necessary for someone unfamiliar with these artists to determine who painted what. This book provides an excellent introduction to the study of these painters and their styles. It was produced in conjunction with the Art Institute of Chicago, which hosted the exhibition "Van Gogh and Gauguin: The Studio of the South," and includes brief biographies.

Robin L. Gibson, Perry County District Library, New Lexington, OH

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; 1st edition (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810945886
• ISBN-13: 978-0810945883
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #800,463 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars LESSONS IN ART AND AMIABLENESS, September 20, 2001

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Yellow House: Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin Side by Side (Hardcover)

What a wonderful way to teach children about art! And, not only are young readers introduced to two of the most colorful and compelling artists, but they also garner lessons in learning from one another and getting along with others.

Published in association with the Art Institute of Chicago this keepsake volume includes fine quality reproductions of paintings by van Gogh and Gauguin, as well as a brief but instructive biography of each painter.

During the autumn of 1888 these two mercurial artists shared a home in the south of France. Lonely and wanting the company of other painters van Gogh invited Gauguin to share his home in Arles. For some two months the men worked in close proximity to one another.

Disagree? Of course, they.did. In addition to technique and style they probably argued about a number of things. One thing they did agree on was that they could learn from each other.

Regrettably at that time van Gogh was on the brink of his nervous breakdown, and when that occurred Gauguin fled to Paris.

Yet, in many ways their time together was productive and memorable for both artists. "The Yellow House" will surely live in the minds of many young readers!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meet Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin, July 4, 2002

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Yellow House: Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin Side by Side (Hardcover)

During the fall of 1888, Vincent Van Gogh invited Paul Gauguin to come live and paint with him in the Yellow House in the south of France. "...he missed the company of other people, especially artists who could discuss painting. He hoped that warm, sunny Arles would attract fellow painters to join him. Together they would form a kind of family of artists, a Studio of the South." Van Gogh and Gauguin were very different in both temperment and style. Van Gogh worked quickly, painting "exactly what he saw with his own eyes", and often completed a painting in just one sitting. He "liked to load his brush with lots of paint and put it on the canvas in dots and dashes... Thick swirls of strong colors expressed his feelings-his love of nature, his joy in painting." Gauguin worked very differently. He painted more slowly, blending his paints on a palette, and spreading the colors "smoothly in careful shapes." He "painted pictures from his imagination-feelings, fantasies, and dreams." Together they worked side by side for two months, discussing art and techniques, and learning much from each other. And even after Gauguin left Arles, they continued to encourage each other through their letters..... Based on actual events, Susan Goldman Rubin has written an elegant and compelling story about the relationship between these two great artists. Her eloquent text is straightforward and informative. But it's Jos. A. Smith's artwork that really makes this book stand out. His evocative illustrations dazzle as they compare and contrast Van Gogh's and Gauguin's styles, techniques, and use of color, and include reproductions of some of the paintings created during that two month period. With biographies at the end to fill in details about both painter's lives and work, The Yellow House is an engaging, fact filled introduction, rich in history and drama, that is sure to intrigue young art lovers 5-10, and send them out looking for more

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For inquisitive and artistic young minds, December 15, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Yellow House: Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin Side by Side (Hardcover)

The Yellow House: Vincent van Gogh & Paul Gauguin Side By Side is a children's color picturebook about the how two legendary artists, Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin, lived together in a Yellow House the south of France in 1888, and shared ideas about their painting. Yet they set about their artwork in very different ways; for example, Vincent painted what he saw while Paul painted from his memory and imagination. The Yellow House is not only an enjoyable story, but also an excellent introduction to the world of art for young readers. The vibrant color artwork strives to emulate a spark of the creative genius that van Gogh and Gauguin themselves poured into their life's work. The last two pages of The Yellow House consist of short biographies of the famous artists. An ideal gift book selection, The Yellow House is highly recommended gift book for inquisitive and artistic young minds.