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Post by htmb on Aug 2, 2014 22:09:21 GMT
On June 17, 2009, my youngest daughter and I visited Auvers-sur-Oise, along with three other friends. We were in a private van on our way back from Giverny and couldn’t have spent more than two hours total in Auvers. Ever since, I have wanted to return to spend time taking photographs and walking around the town. We saw the outside of the Mairie and visited the inside of L’Auberge Ravoux, where Van Gogh lived and ultimately died, before being driven around to the back of the church. Why we were driven I do not know, as it was a simple walk. At the time, the church was covered in scaffolding and, though our friends were able to go inside, my daughter and I did not because she had an accident while getting out of the van. It had been parked over a big hole and was angled on an incline. Later, we all walked up the hill towards the fields where Van Gogh painted and was supposedly shot, then on to the cemetery where Vincent and his brother, Theo, are buried. Because my daughter is an excellent photographer and has a super camera, I didn’t take many photographs in France that year. Fortunately, the camera was not damaged when she fell. ;-) Here are a few of the pictures she took that day. And, of course, now that I look at my daughter's wheat fields photograph taken in mid-June, I can see some of the colors Van Gogh saw when he painted this: This is the first time I've made the connection! I have talked about returning to Auvers and spending a little more time there ever since, but had not made it back until this summer. Once I realized Auvers-sur-Oise was in zone five of the Paris rail system, and I could use my (zone five loaded) Navigo Decouverte pass without purchasing an extra ticket, I was even more determined to go.
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Post by htmb on Aug 2, 2014 22:25:56 GMT
My visit was on July 3, and it was a very bright and sunny day. Fortunately, five years after my daughter took her photos, there was no scaffolding on the church and I was also able to go inside. Photos from this point on are mine.
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Post by htmb on Aug 2, 2014 22:52:25 GMT
The church was all set up for the Festival d’Auvers-Sur-Oise. I’m not sure what a sexton (sacristain?) is called in France, but he was working hard to clean up the interior of the church and had all the chairs turned to face the rear where a grand piano had been set in place. Leaving the church, it was time to walk up into the wheat fields. And, of course, the lawn crew had arrived and parked their truck in the way of my photo opportunity. Most people take the road on the right hand side up to the wheat fields as it leads directly to the cemetery, but the guide on my first trip directed us up this path on the left, which I selected once again. I like it because coming out of the shaded overhanging trees and seeing the wheat fields in all their glory offers up an even greater surprise and delight.
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Post by htmb on Aug 3, 2014 11:24:35 GMT
I’m not very tall, so this is the first thing I could see when coming into the daylight: And, then, there are the fields of wheat rising up before me to top of the hill. I took lots of photographs, and certainly have more to post here, but in looking at my pictures later I felt I had not captured what I wanted. This, of course, will mean a return trip. I don’t know why I find this hill in Auvers-sur-Oise so beautiful. I am sure it has a lot to do with Van Gogh and his paintings, but it’s more than that. I love the rich colors and the effervescent light, and I find being able to see so far off into the distance very compelling. I would love to spend several different days trying to capture the vistas from this hill in all different types of weather and seasons, perhaps, sitting under a tree in the shade and waiting patiently for the light to change.
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Post by htmb on Aug 3, 2014 11:56:18 GMT
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Post by questa on Aug 3, 2014 12:33:49 GMT
Poppies in the wheat pics took my breath away for a second. 4th pic...one before close-up...really beautiful, may I borrow it for my desk top pic for a while, please
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Post by htmb on Aug 3, 2014 12:46:43 GMT
Oh course, Questa! I would be honored.
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Post by anshjain97 on Aug 3, 2014 13:58:26 GMT
Well, you had some really clear weather. Was it very hot?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2014 13:59:55 GMT
Both sets of pics are gorgeous HTMB and please thank your daughter for her contribution.
While the pictures of the wheat fields are gorgeous, I can see what you mean about feeling dissatisfied. This has nothing to do with your eye or skills as a photographer, I assure you, but, more to do with the light. Initially, I thought perhaps it was the time of year, but, the wheat appears to be of the same maturity in growth as depicted in Van Gogh's paintings. My strong suspicion is that it was perhaps the time of day? Also, different years, seasons (climate change?) has caused changes in light during the different seasons all over. I noticed this when visiting my home town in NY, notorious for it's gorgeous light and a major lure for painters (DeKooning, Jane Freilich, William Merritt Chase and many, many other artists who indulged in plein air painting).
In any event, thank you for the lovely pics. I agree with Questa that the wheat and poppy flowers are indeed breathtaking.
Thank you for sharing these with us!!
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Post by htmb on Aug 3, 2014 14:03:36 GMT
Yes, the weather was clear, which was nice, but not great for taking photographs in the late morning. Being from Florida, pleasant to me is someone else's death march, but I thought the weather was very nice. Not too hot, with low humidity and a light breeze, I seem to recall. That week was hit or miss with showers almost every day, so the choice of that Thursday was a good one weather-wise.
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Post by htmb on Aug 3, 2014 14:06:13 GMT
Thanks, Casimira. I am sure you are correct about the time of day. That's one of the reasons I'd like to experience different times and dates. Early morning and early evening would be nice times to take photos, and a sunset, depending on the cloud patterns, could be spectacular.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2014 14:14:16 GMT
Any excuse to go back...I get it.
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Post by htmb on Aug 3, 2014 18:54:22 GMT
Yes, Casimira. True. And, of course, the cemetery is located at the very top of the hill. Google translation from the official Auvers-sur-Oise website: In 1856, the cemetery, located in the middle of the housing and the door of the church becomes "out of proportion to the size of the population." In 1858, the new cemetery was inaugurated with a solemn procession. One hundred years later, other processions begin traveling the road that goes to him those admirers of Van Gogh.
Leaning against the left aisle, two graves modest headstones are simply: "Here lies Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890)", "Here lies Theodore Van Gogh (1857-1891)". www.auvers-sur-oise.com/index.htmlI think the next photo is my favorite landscape in this series. The tree on the right is where I’m going to sit in the shade during the heat of the day.
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Post by mossie on Aug 3, 2014 19:18:03 GMT
That thistle is glorious, and I do like the wheatfields. The posh photo books advise you to take landscapes during the two hours after dawn and preceding sunset.
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Post by htmb on Aug 3, 2014 19:20:39 GMT
There was a bit of a wander around the town, and down towards the chateau. I suppose I will have to try taking these stairs some day, because I’ve totaled missed them on both visits until too late. Hollyhocks were sprouting up everywhere. And the bees had lots to be happy about. This gate and beyond looked intriguing.
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Post by htmb on Aug 3, 2014 19:22:55 GMT
That thistle is glorious, and I do like the wheatfields. The posh photo books advise you to take landscapes during the two hours after dawn and preceding sunset. Thank you, Mossie. Yes, ideal time is certainly not late morning, but all the more reason for a return visit one day.
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Post by htmb on Aug 3, 2014 19:42:10 GMT
I’d like to check out this museum on a future trip. This display was in front of what looked like a school. And here’s the chateau. Something was living in their boxwood. A walk down to the river and a cool drink were a fine way to cap off the visit. Looking back towards the church one more time. It was time to go back to Paris.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2014 20:09:42 GMT
This is a really lovely report. I should go there some day. Oh, that's right -- I did. But each new report is excellent and shows different things.
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Post by htmb on Aug 3, 2014 20:27:19 GMT
Yes, go and take some more pictures! I'd like to see you take photographs in the very early morning or later in the day. You'd better hurry, or the wheat will have been harvested.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2014 21:19:16 GMT
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Post by htmb on Aug 5, 2014 21:32:21 GMT
I have lots of comments, so I may have to make several posts......
Love, love your sunflower photos. Sunflowers are one of my favorites. One year my students and I planted several different types, including those in your picture.
I see the hollyhocks are bowing over, due to several factors, I presume.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2014 21:38:57 GMT
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Post by htmb on Aug 5, 2014 21:49:42 GMT
Were the sunflowers growing near the train station?
I love the light despite the clouds, and I'm happy you captured the view up/down the farm path. This gives me an idea of what I'd see if I were walking on stilts. ;-)
I never noticed the sugar beets.
Darn those stairs!!!! The gates looked wide open, too.
I also liked your church "art."
Thanks for posting these photos, Kerouac.
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Post by htmb on Aug 5, 2014 21:51:19 GMT
Now I see...... Nice detail around Daubigny.
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Post by htmb on Aug 5, 2014 22:08:58 GMT
Really nice pictures, Kerouac. Did you get wet?
I've been reading a collection/translation of some of Vincent's letters, written mainly to Theo, and it's interesting how often he mentions his connection to both nature and the common man. He also seems to have a need to see his subject live as he paints, rather than painting from a drawing or from memory. I can only take in so much at one time, but hope to read more soon.
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Post by fumobici on Aug 6, 2014 2:14:20 GMT
Nice addition to an already fine thread. In Tuscany they grow sunflowers by the acre, for the seed oil I'm told, but they aren't terribly ornamental as specimens. They do suit M. Daubigny though, he looks in a better mood amidst them.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2014 4:28:58 GMT
There were sunflowers all over town, in small quantities.
Southern France is full of sunflowers fields as well, but they are in the drying phase now. In the south of France, they are in full bloom in early July.
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Post by tod2 on Aug 6, 2014 16:58:40 GMT
Lovely, lovely photos both of you! Htmb you captured van Gogh's mood in your wheat photos. I always think of van Goghs other brother when I see the two headstones lying side-by-side. Kerouac, I have never seen such magnificent sunflowers! So many petals! A super report - makes me think I might end up there one day...
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Post by htmb on Aug 6, 2014 17:16:32 GMT
You could give us a fall report, Tod.
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Post by bjd on Aug 7, 2014 18:39:25 GMT
There were sunflowers all over town, in small quantities. Southern France is full of sunflowers fields as well, but they are in the drying phase now. In the south of France, they are in full bloom in early July. Despite the fact that so much vegetation was early this year, we just spent 3 days in the Quercy and I was surprised to see all the sunflower fields in full bloom. None of the flowers were even losing their petals yet.
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