Both Vincent and Gauguin made visits to the Church of St. Trophime in Arles. Vincent liked the carved porch, but disliked the figures of the saints and Chris in judgment above the door with the damned being led into eternal torment.
Vincent was once incarcerated in these cloisters "for the good of his health." He thought the "gloomy surroundings contributed to the hallucinations and fears that assailed him."
When Gauguin visited he "was not impressed by the priest in his pulpit 'babbling' about hell. 'In their seats the ladies talk about fashion. I like this better.'"
