[1] While Van Gogh was in Saint-Rémy, his brother, Theo and artist Camille Pissarro developed a plan for Van Gogh to go to Auvers-sur-Oise with a letter of introduction for Dr. Paul Gachet[1] a homeopathic physician and art patron who lived in Auvers.

In a letter from May 20, 1890, Van Gogh wrote, "I have seen Dr. Gachet, who made the impression on me of being rather eccentric, but his experience as a doctor must keep him balanced while fighting the nervous trouble from which he certainly seems to me to be suffering at least as seriously as I.

Known for his works of sunflowers, he also made paintings with red poppies, grasses, irises and other garden plants.

During times of inner turmoil, “dark green spire like cypresses writhing with energy and contorted olive trees vibrant with silvery leaves.

[6] To his sister, Wil, Van Gogh advised her to cultivate her own garden, like Voltaire's Candide, to find joy and meaning in life.

[7] Sue Roe, author of The Private Lives of the Impressionists, wrote of Dr. Gachet's garden: "Dr. Gachet's house was set in the hillside above the main street [of the village], with a terraced garden full of flowers and looking down into the valley of the Oise.

[10] In late June Van Gogh wrote of his interest to paint Marguerite Gachet, maybe in a country girl pose.

In a letter to Theo Van Gogh expressed his sadness and frustration of not having a long-term partnership, "That desire [for marriage] has left me, though the mental suffering of it remains.

[1][2] Both 'garden paintings' were part of the collection of Dr. Gachet until 1954 when they were given to the state and allotted to the Louvre museum, gallery of Jeu de Paume.

"[1][2] After visiting Paris for a family conference, Van Gogh returned to Auvers more bleak.