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On the road to Tarascon and beyond.....

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Vincent Van Gogh, The Painter on his way to work / The Road to Tarascon 1888 , oil on canvas. Now lost or destroyed. Australian artist Martin Sharp (1942-2013) was fascinated by Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890). Beginning with his childhood, he read about the Dutch artist's life and work, trawled through his many published letters, and incorporated van Gogh's imagery and motifs within his own work, whether it be drawing, collage, graphic design, posters or painting. Sharp was also keen to highlight the significance of the artist to others. He perhaps saw in van Gogh's tragic life and extraordinary output over a relatively short period of time a reflection of his own less-tragic journey and experiences in art. This article will attempt to chart the course of Sharp's developing interest in, and fascination with, Vincent van Gogh, as revealed primarily through his published, printed and painted works from the late 1960s through to the 2000s. Paul Ga