Painting of the Week: #4 Most Expensive

The painting for this week is the #4 most expensive ever sold. Completed by Vincent van Gogh in 1890, "Portrait of Dr. Gachet" is 67 X 56cm. In 1990, the painting sold for $82.5 million. There were actually 2 portraits of Dr. Gachet painted by Van Gogh. Gachet took care of Van Gogh during his last months. Van Gogh wrote of the portrait:

"I've done the portrait of M. Gachet with a melancholy expression, which might well seem like a grimace to those who see it... Sad but gentle, yet clear and intelligent, that is how many portraits ought to be done... There are modern heads that may be looked at for a long time, and that may perhaps be looked back on with longing a hundred years later."

Vincent van Gogh's paintings are one of the most inspiring things I've ever seen in person. A little personal side note: I have a special place in my heart for Van Gogh not just because I love his paintings but also because one of my most memorable moments took place at a van Gogh exhibit. Gordon proposed the first time he took me to Seattle (where he is originally from). The second day we were there, he surprised me with tickets to the Seattle Art Museum downtown. We happened to catch the Vincent van Gogh exhibit which turned out to be good as he is the only painter Gordon is even remotely familiar with. It was absolutely incredible standing in front of the real deal. Reproductions in a text book or on a poster just don't do his paintings justice. The thickness of the paint is really something you just have to see in person. It's incredible. Anyway, as we finished our tour of the museum, Gordon started acting really odd. Little did I know that as we were about to leave, he would get down on one knee and pop "the question". You can all guess my response. We finished our perfect day with a ride along the waterfront in a bike buggy with the coolest driver ever and ended with the best seafood dinner I have ever had. If you're ever in Seattle, Ivar's is an absolute must! You really can't get better seafood, or better scenery of the waterfront, anywhere. So thanks for letting me have that personal walk down memory lane. Hope you enjoy the painting of the week!