Van Gogh Walk (SW9)

Van Gogh Walk (SW9). . The young Vincent van Gogh came to London in 1873 to work for an art dealership. He moved to 87 Hackford Road nearby and was enchanted by his walks in and around Stockwell., In the 1870s this area was undeveloped and many of the streets and buildings you see now did not exist. Spring brought local trees into blossom, and Vincent's letters describe his neighbourhood as "very pretty" and "so peaceful"., He was passionate about nature and by the time he left London had created his own garden. In one of his last letters to his mother, he wrote: , "For one's health, as you say, it is very necessary to work in the garden and see the flowers growing.", Plants and trees were the subject of many of Vincent's paintings. Van Gogh Walk celebrates his stay here and his enjoyment of the local flora., The bold, swirling brushstrokes of blue and yellow in his painting Undergrowth with Two Figures (left) were the inspiration for some of the landscaping and planting in Van Gogh Walk. The vivid colours of cypress, olive, cherry and other blossom trees that often feature in his work are also represented., Some of Vincent's paintings can be seen at the National Gallery. His letters recounting his time in Stockwell are widely available., Van Gogh Walk was created by local people, supported by Lambeth Council.