Who was the director of the asylum in Saint-Rémy during Van Gogh's stay?

Théophile Peyron was the director of the asylum at Saint-Paul-de-Mausole during Van Gogh’s stay. Peyron, a French naval doctor, ran the psychiatric institution in the former monastery near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.

Van Gogh entered the asylum voluntarily on 8 May 1889, seeking a controlled environment after recurring crises in Arles. Peyron supervised his admission and medical care, although nineteenth-century psychiatry had few effective treatments for the conditions then described as epilepsy, mania, or mental illness. The institution offered routine, supervision, meals, and a degree of stability rather than modern psychiatric therapy.

Peyron allowed Van Gogh to have two rooms, including one that served as a studio. At first the artist was restricted to the grounds, where he painted the garden, corridors, irises, lilacs, and views through barred windows. Later, Peyron permitted supervised excursions into the surrounding countryside, giving Van Gogh access to olive groves, wheat fields, and cypresses.

Dr. Salles is associated with the pastor who accompanied Van Gogh to the asylum, while Dr. Rey treated him in Arles and Dr. Gachet treated him at Auvers. Peyron is the specific answer for Saint-Paul’s director.