A blog Happy faces, Happy places by Matthew Taylor reminded me of a conversation with Josef Gehrmann from Muenster – he and his family were house guests here at Le Colombier this easter.
On the dining room wall I have a picture of Van Gogh’s The Potato Eaters. It’s a dark and sombre picture – and I just liked the contrast with my environment here in Provence.
It’s a reminder that I’m here, not there.
It was Josef who pointed out how much the darkness – and depression – of this Van Gogh painting contrasts with the brighness of, for example, his famous sunflowers, painted, of course, in the light of Provence.
The light of Provence is almost a cliche – it is amazing, and undescribable. But the effect it has on your emotions – and your happiness – is very real.