Author:Martin Gayford
Two artistic giants. One small house.
From October to December 1888 a pair of largely unknown artists lived under one roof in the French provincial town of Arles. Paul Gauguin and Vincent Van Gogh ate, drank, talked, argued, slept and painted in one of the most intense and astonishing creative outpourings in history. Yet as the weeks passed Van Gogh buckled under the strain, fought with his companion and committed an act of violence on himself that prompted Gauguin to flee without saying goodbye to his friend.
The Yellow House is an intimate portrait of their time together as well as a subtle exploration of a fragile friendship, art, madness, genius and the shocking act of self-mutilation that the world has sought to explain ever since.
A drily witty, original and profoundly absorbing book
—— IndependentA wonderfully perceptive, revealing and touching book
—— Sunday TelegraphA story of such fascination on so many levels . . . Martin Gayford tells it vividly, intelligently and intelligibly
—— Literary ReviewGayford's fascinating depiction of the Odd Couple of art history is both moving and riveting
—— Daily MailGayford has reconstructed these tumultuous weeks . . . the reader lives them day by day, almost minute by minute. Delightful, utterly fascinating
—— Independent on SundayMasterly . . . a wonderfully alert and moving portrait
—— Mail on SundayThoughtful and excellently unsensational . . . with clever flashbacks and pertinent historical asides
—— Sunday TimesRemarkable, erudite and thoroughly readable. Gayford has managed to piece together as much as we ever might in the most convincing way possible
—— Scotland on SundayA gripping read, and an art historical thriller
—— Country LifeLively and provocative... This book is a delight
—— HeraldThere are still interesting things to be said about Van Eyck's great double portrait
—— Michael Glover , Independent, Books of the YearExploring the double-portrait image in often revelatory detail, Hicks presents a truly inspiring picture of her own
—— Erica Wagner , The Times, Books of the YearNo-one can write, and explain, like Hicks. Here her mastery is complete
—— SpectatorThis impressive work of art historical scholarship is in every way as engaging as its subject
—— Peter Murray , Irish ExaminerA rattlingly readable effort... Greig does a fine job revealing tales one suspects the artist may have wished to keep private.
—— Alastair Smart , TelegraphAnybody with an ear for a good story, never mind an eye for fine art, will be beguiled.
—— Hephzibah Anderson , Mail on SundayGreig's fascinating, intimate biography of Lucian Freud was a revelation. Every question I had about Freud – from the aesthetic to the intrusively gossipy – was answered with great candour and judiciousness… Wry, dry and completely beguiling.
—— William Boyd , Guardian[Greig’s] perceptive observations and eagle’s eye for detail immediately drew me in.
—— Rebecca Wallersteiner , VantageThe Freud who emerges in this account is a slippery figure, not only for journalists who tried to explain him but also for his intimates.
—— New YorkerMr Greig's is a compelling portrait of a complete amoralist who became a monstre sacré.
—— The EconomistGreig’s portrait glimmers with his eye for the telling detail.
—— Robert Collins , Sunday TimesA mesmerising book, seamlessly crafted, totally absorbing, and impossible to put down.
—— The TabletA very readable and enjoyable book, full of salacious detail of the artist and his fascinating life.
—— Julia Weiner , Jewish ChronicleThis intimate biography of Lucian Freud spares no blushes in its account of one of Britain's greatest painters, tracing his life and work through candid revelations about his views on art, relationships and family.
—— Charlotte Mullins , Art QuarterlyBuilding up brush stroke by brush stroke, Greig has produced a three-dimensional study of equal candour. Part demon, part genius, it is an absorbing portrait of the complexity of a strange human character.
—— Peter Lewis , Daily MailAn unapologetic mixture of intelligent perception and high gossip... It is, overall, more revealing than anything about [Freud] yet written.
—— Frances Spalding , GuardianI am captivated by this fascinating memoir... It's an extraordinary read.
—— Barbara Taylor Bradford , Daily MailCandid and intelligent.
—— Spear'sA gripping, page-turning vision of Lucian Freud that penetrates deep into the artist's private life.
—— Sunday Times OnlineUtterly engrossing and lavishly illustrated
—— Mail on Sunday