The Quarrel in Arles

By: E. Thomalen

Narrated by: Timothy Portnoy, Amelia Gotham

The Quarrel in Arles dramatizes the relationships between Vincent Van Gogh, his brother Theo Van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, and Johanna Bonger during the period between May 1, 1888 and December 24, 1888, a time of great personal turmoil but artistic achievement for Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin and the fulfillment of romantic desires for Theo Van Gogh and Johanna Bonger. Vincent’s impulsive move to Arles, his decision to rent the Yellow House, conflict with Gauguin, final rupture with Gauguin and psychotic self-injury are part of the story. But it is also about love and its vicissitudes: The love of a man for the world and for art, a brother’s love for a brother, a husband’s love for his wife, a wife’s love for her husband, a man’s love for his friend, and a man’s love for himself.

The work is drawn from the correspondence of the principals but some parts are fictionalized.

©2017 E. Thomalen (P)2020 E. Thomalen

Wonderful performance

This reading by Timothy Portnoy and Amelia Gotham really captures the beauty and tragedy of the end of the artistic life of Vincent Van Gogh. It is illuminated by use of correspondence of the principals. The work is for those who love the paintings of Van Gogh, particularly the period in Arles, and the wonderful landscape canvases produced. The story winds its way through the reflections of the four major figures involved: Vincent and Theo Van Gogh, Paul Gauguin and Johanna Bonger.