In the context of this artwork, analyze the Marguerite Gachet in the Garden of the Paintings.
In late June Van Gogh wrote of his interest to paint Marguerite Gachet, maybe in a country girl pose. A few days later he wrote that he painted her in a pink dress playing a piano, and the previous day she had posed for this garden painting. In Marguerite Gachet in the Garden, Marguerite is dressed in white, "like a bride." The garden of white roses and light lemon marigolds. It was rumored in Auvers that Van Gogh considered Marguerite a friend and that she desired a relationship with him.Dr. Gachet, though, had not given permission for the sittings and when he learned of the two sittings in two consecutive nights he was quite apprehensive about any relationship they might share. Dr. Gachet asked Van Gogh to end his relationship with Marguerite.Derek Fell, author of Van Gogh's Women: Vincent's Love Affairs and Journey Into Madness, suggests that Van Gogh may have cared more deeply than imagined and been at least in part the reason for shooting himself. In a letter to Theo Van Gogh expressed his sadness and frustration of not having a long-term partnership, "That desire [for marriage] has left me, though the mental suffering of it remains."There were other concerns as well that affected Van Gogh at that time: the illness of Theo's baby, Theo's health and employment issues, potential loss of Theo's support and the destruction of his relationship with Dr. Gachet who was meant to manage Van Gogh's health and be a stabilizing influence.
Theo Derek Fell Marguerite Gachet