In September 1888 Vincent Van Gogh moved into the little Yellow House, on the outskirts of the Provencal town of Arles. In October he was joined by Paul Gauguin, and for eight weeks they worked together in this tiny, claustrophobic space. It was one of the most productive periods for both painters

during it Van Gogh painted most of the Sunflowers, twin pictures of Gauguin and his chairs, and the Sowers. Yet at what cost was this fever of creative endeavour achieved? At the end of their two months together Vincent went mad and cut off his ear. In this riveting book, Telegraph art critic Martin Gayford provides an insight into the French provincial and bohemian life of the times, as well as into the creation of some of the most popular paintings ever.