Amsterdam–Tuesday

Okay, so I take it all back about galleries loosening their rules about photography.

Today we visited the Van Gogh gallery and it was NO PHOTO. Mind you that didn’t stop those with phones, but it is a bit hard to whip out the Canon without attracting the guards attention…

Anyway, I’ve always been a big Vincent Van Gogh fan, and have seen lots of his great works before, including my favourite Starry Night Over the Rhône (September 1888), which wasn't on display today as it lives at the Musée d'Orsay, Paris… (we saw it when it visited Canberra). But here it is below!

We did see, his self portrait in grey felt hat.

and the one of the many Sunflower paintings and the Irises.

and the Almond Blossoms, which you could also purchase in the gift shop as silk scarves, t-shirts, coasters, teddy bears and dog collars with matching leads.

It was interesting to explore the full story of his life. The ‘experts’ say that he had a psychotic illness brought on by alcohol misuse and sleep deprivation.

Hummmmm… In his last 70 days he completed 75 paintings. If that's not manic then I don’t know what is. My guess would be Bipolar with psychotic features.

What would Vincent think of all this hullabaloo? He died before he knew he would be a famous world super star. He’d Probably love it!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Second museum of the day was the Coster Diamond Museum. No , Graham didn’t buy me any diamonds……

However I did get this little trinket for my Birthday.

Not Diamonds exactly, but lovely Swarovski Crystal. Doesn't show in the photo but all pastel rainbow crystals…

At least its not too cold, about 7 degrees, nearly don't need the woolly hat.