As museums go, this is about as small as it gets. But if you're in Auvers-sur-Oise, it's most likely this is what you came to see. The House of van Gogh consists of just three rooms: van Gogh's room, the room of artist and fellow lodger Anton Hirschig, who was with Vincent through his last hours, and the slide show room, where you will see a brief slide presentation of perhaps ten minutes in length. The slide show is short but tastefully done, intermingling images of Vincent's paintings with excerpts from a few of his many letters, accompanied by a soundtrack. The slide show room has a capacity of just twenty-five people; only five at a time are allowed in van Gogh's room.
Van Gogh's room is a small, rather depressing and claustrophobic little place that probably measures less than nine feet by nine feet. One wall is protected with glass; apparently preparations are underway to obtain a van Gogh painting that will be permanently displayed here. A single, small window that is really more like a skylight allows a small splash of light to enter the room. This is probably the last thing he saw. On July 27, 1890, after taking his lunch at the Auberge he went back into the fields to paint. He shot himself with a revolver, yet he managed to stagger back to the Auberge. After his condition was discovered, Dr. Gachet and a local physician arrived, and his brother Theo was summoned from Paris. Theo was at his side when he died here at 1:30am on July 29, 1890. The room is completely empty except for a single straight-backed chair.
The House of van Gogh is open daily from 10am-6pm. Admission is 30Fr (about $4), 60Fr ($8) for families; tickets on sale 10am-5:30pm. Email contact@masion-de-van-gogh.com. Telephone (33) 01.30.36.60.60.