Vincent Van Gogh - The Letters

Episode

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

20091228

20091229 (R4)

Mark Rylance and Julius D'Silva read from a new edition of Van Gogh's prodigious correspondence.

This selection illustrates the artist's contradictions and complexities: his self-doubt and his passionate ambition; his close bond with his brother Theo; and his sometimes troubled relationships with other family members and fellow artists. What emerges above all is his overriding passion for his art.

Abridged by Doreen Estall.

Part of the BBC Christmas 2009 season.

The artist's letters reveal his intriguing character, his relationships and his process.

20091229

20091230 (R4)

Mark Rylance reads from a new edition of Van Gogh's prodigious correspondence.

Vincent begins his artistic studies in earnest under the guidance of the artist Anton Mauve. He also embarks on a relationship with a pregnant prostitute, Christien, whom he decides to take under his wing. But this brings him into conflict with his family.

Abridged by Doreen Estall.

Vincent begins his artistic studies in earnest, and embarks on a troubled relationship.

20091230

20091231 (R4)

Mark Rylance, Joseph Cohen-Cole and Julius D'Silva read from a new edition of Van Gogh's prodigious correspondence.

Vincent leaves Paris for the light and warmth of Arles in the south of France. His new surroundings quickly revive both his spirits and his zest for painting, and he plans to establish a new artistic community there. But his hopes to persuade Paul Gauguin to move south and join him in the little yellow house appear, at first, to be met with some resistance.

Abridged by Doreen Estall.

Full of hopes for an new beginning, Vincent leaves Paris for the warmth of southern France

20091231

20100101 (R4)

Mark Rylance, Joseph Cohen-Cole and Julius D'Silva read from a new edition of Van Gogh's prodigious correspondence.

Gauguin finally joins Vincent in the yellow house in Arles. Initially the arrangement is beneficial to both artists but their relationship soon begins to deteriorate, in parallel with Vincent's state of mental health.

Abridged by Doreen Estall.

Gauguin joins Vincent in southern France, but their relationship deteriorates alarmingly.

05 LAST

20100101

20100102 (R4)

Mark Rylance, Joseph Cohen-Cole and Julius D'Silva read from a new edition of Van Gogh's prodigious correspondence.

Vincent is recovering in hospital following the incident in which he severed his own earlobe. Gauguin has left the yellow house in Arles for good, but the two artists still correspond. Although Vincent recovers physically from the incident, he decides to commit himself to a mental asylum only weeks after leaving hospital.

Abridged by Doreen Estall.

Vincent is recovering from severing his own earlobe, but inner turmoil is never far away.

Episodes

Episode	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	20091228	20091229 (R4)	Mark Rylance and Julius D'Silva read from a new edition of Van Gogh's prodigious correspondence. This selection illustrates the artist's contradictions and complexities: his self-doubt and his passionate ambition; his close bond with his brother Theo; and his sometimes troubled relationships with other family members and fellow artists. What emerges above all is his overriding passion for his art. Abridged by Doreen Estall. Part of the BBC Christmas 2009 season. The artist's letters reveal his intriguing character, his relationships and his process.
02	20091229	20091230 (R4)	Mark Rylance reads from a new edition of Van Gogh's prodigious correspondence. Vincent begins his artistic studies in earnest under the guidance of the artist Anton Mauve. He also embarks on a relationship with a pregnant prostitute, Christien, whom he decides to take under his wing. But this brings him into conflict with his family. Abridged by Doreen Estall. Vincent begins his artistic studies in earnest, and embarks on a troubled relationship.
03	20091230	20091231 (R4)	Mark Rylance, Joseph Cohen-Cole and Julius D'Silva read from a new edition of Van Gogh's prodigious correspondence. Vincent leaves Paris for the light and warmth of Arles in the south of France. His new surroundings quickly revive both his spirits and his zest for painting, and he plans to establish a new artistic community there. But his hopes to persuade Paul Gauguin to move south and join him in the little yellow house appear, at first, to be met with some resistance. Abridged by Doreen Estall. Full of hopes for an new beginning, Vincent leaves Paris for the warmth of southern France
04	20091231	20100101 (R4)	Mark Rylance, Joseph Cohen-Cole and Julius D'Silva read from a new edition of Van Gogh's prodigious correspondence. Gauguin finally joins Vincent in the yellow house in Arles. Initially the arrangement is beneficial to both artists but their relationship soon begins to deteriorate, in parallel with Vincent's state of mental health. Abridged by Doreen Estall. Gauguin joins Vincent in southern France, but their relationship deteriorates alarmingly.
05 LAST	20100101	20100102 (R4)	Mark Rylance, Joseph Cohen-Cole and Julius D'Silva read from a new edition of Van Gogh's prodigious correspondence. Vincent is recovering in hospital following the incident in which he severed his own earlobe. Gauguin has left the yellow house in Arles for good, but the two artists still correspond. Although Vincent recovers physically from the incident, he decides to commit himself to a mental asylum only weeks after leaving hospital. Abridged by Doreen Estall. Vincent is recovering from severing his own earlobe, but inner turmoil is never far away.