Focus on this artwork and explain the Café du Tambourin.
Van Gogh occasionally visited Café du Tambourin run by Agostina Segatori, the subject of this painting. Previously an artist's model to Manet, Corot and others, the Naples-born Agostina saved the money she earned working as a model and opened the Italian-themed Café du Tambourin in 1885, which particularly catered to artists.The café on the Boulevard de Clichy in Paris was just around the corner from the home that Vincent lived in with his brother Theo. Besides convenience, the restaurant was notable to Van Gogh as a venue for exhibition of his paintings, a practice initiated by artists such as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Paul-Albert Besnard and others.In 1887 van Gogh had several meals a week at the café which were paid in paintings to adorn the restaurant's walls.  He fell in love with Agostina who was twelve years older. Soon after, though, Agostina and the establishment fell on hard times.  She became ill and the business, in debt and likely involved in illegal prostitution, failed.  Although assured by Agostina that van Gogh could claim his paintings, according to Émile Bernard's recollection, debtors sold them "as waste canvas" in batches of 10, ranging in price from 50 centimes to one franc per bundle. Due to the bankruptcy of the cafe van Gogh lost not only the paintings, mostly still life works of flowers, but also the frames.Agostina Segatori Sitting in the Café du Tambourin is on display at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Amsterdam Paul-Albert Besnard Émile Bernard Van Gogh Museum Café du Tambourin still life works Theo franc Corot Agostina Segatori Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec centimes Boulevard de Clichy Netherlands Manet