My understanding of his life is that he had a mental illness ?bipolar and that contrary to popular believe he never painted when he was ill. He had insight and would admit himself to the local pyschiatric hospital. My understanding was that towards the end of his life he had deveopled his technique to such an extent he could just paint his pictures as easily as I can make a cup of tea! I formed the view that his painting kept him sane and when he realised that he was having increasing difficulty keeping the severity and frequency of his attacks of mental illness under ‘control’ he killed himself. That is my own personal ‘take on’ him. He was too sensitive and difficult but people with mental illness are difficult to cope with. I felt so sad at that exhibition despite my delight at seeing his glorious paintings. Had he lived now hopefully his suffering could be helped but then we would not have had his painting legacy and how selfish is that I wonder?

Interestingly i recently heard a little news item on the radio that a researcher has found eveidence that he did not kill himself but it was some sort of accident and people covered it up with the suicide theory. Ive not had chance to follow that up yet.

Judith

Interestingl