1990: The Late Show - Van Gogh
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Tracey Macleod reports on the sale of Dr Gachet, a painting by Van Gogh, that has been bought for $82.5m at Christie's in New York. She is joined in the studio by art historian Andrew Brighton, who sheds light on some of the reasons why, in his centenary year, Van Gogh's paintings appear to be breaking records each time one comes up for sale.
The subject of the record-breaking painting featured in this programme is Paul-Ferdinand Gachet, a physician who treated Van Gogh unsuccessfully for his 'madness'. Gachet was hired by Van Gogh's brother, Theo, who knew about his sensitivity towards artists and his friendship with painters such as Paul Cezanne. Although the painting is believed to reveal its creator's affection for the doctor, Van Gogh described him in his letters as "sicker than I am, I think, or shall we say just as much".
Aspects of this programme reflect the time when it was made.
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