As Vincent's life began to fully unravel, he checked himself into an asylum in Saint-Remy. Upon his release, his brother Theo arranged to have Vincent stay with Dr. Gachet. Gachet had "treated" and supported other artists, and Theo had heard good things about Gachet. Gachet was also a painter. Theo thought that this was the best place possible for Vincent to "get well." Vincent was skeptical of Gachet. Here is a letter to Theo:
August 7, 1889
Dear Theo, Dr Gachet is loopier then me. I am convinced that he, not me, is the patient. Today at lunch, he carefully peeled a hard boiled egg and then ate the little pieces of broken up shell and left the egg untouched on his plate. The other day, he smeared jam all over his arms, shoulders and head. He then walked into the open field behind his house and stretched out his arms and waited for the birds to arrive. And they did. Hundreds of them. He stood still like a scare crow as the birds had a feast. He yelled to me, “Vincent, look at me. I am a friend crow.”
The next day, he was covered in scabs and peck marks, but smiling as he lowered his tongue into the sugar bowl.
