Van Gogh was allowed to start work inside the asylum; an extra room was equipped as a studio. In the garden of the asylum he found countless motifs, including Irises and 'Lilacs'. He also painted and drew the enclosed field which he could see from his window., Some of Vincent van Gogh's most famous works are his Sunflower series. He painted a total of eleven of these canvases, although the most commonly referred to are the seven he painted while in Arles in 1888 - 1889., In addition the portrait informs us about Van Gogh in Paris. The image he presents by portraying himself in a smart suit and hat is of Van Gogh as a man of the city., - Vincent Van Gogh I am still far from being what I want to be, but with God's help I shall succeed.” - Vincent Van Gogh Whoever loves much, performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.” - Vincent Van Gogh If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” - Vincent Van Gogh, 10 Secrets of "The Potato Eaters" 1) Upon completion of The Potato Eaters, Van Gogh thought it was his best work to date; however, he considered his later masterpiece The Starry Night to be a failure. 2) Van Gogh created three surviving studies of The Potato Eaters prior to his final artwork., On May 8, 1889, exhausted, ill, and out of control, Vincent Van Gogh committed himself to St. Paul's psychiatric asylum in Saint-Remy-de-Provence, a small hamlet in the south of France..