Van Gogh’s Self-Portraits
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Van Gogh’s Self-Portraits
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Re: Van Gogh’s Self-Portraits
#2I used to "not get" why Van Gogh is considered to be so special. After reading his biography and his letters, I am now in the know.
Van Gogh is an interesting case. He was very familiar with the art world, even before he started drawing and painting. He worked as an art dealer and traveled a lot when he was young.
Where it gets interesting is when he sets out to become an artist himself. Over the course of only ten years he produced a staggering 900 paintings. (I typically spend a few months on only one drawing. And most of those don't even have color.)
It's not that I now like his work, but I sure have learned to appreciate the man and his mission. Looking at the progression in his work and reading his letters gives a wonderful insight in the mind of a very sensitive person.
Re: Van Gogh’s Self-Portraits
#3> On 23 December 1888, Vincent cut off his left ear in a state of total confusion.
The evidence we have now strongly points to that Gauguin cut it off during an argument.
Re: Van Gogh’s Self-Portraits
#4> On 23 December 1888, Vincent cut off his left ear in a state of total confusion. The evidence we have now strongly points to that Gauguin cut it off during an argument.
First time I’m hearing this theory. Could you elaborate?
Re: Van Gogh’s Self-Portraits
#5> On 23 December 1888, Vincent cut off his left ear in a state of total confusion. The evidence we have now strongly points to that Gauguin cut it off during an argument.
First time I’m hearing this theory. Could you elaborate?
The video here explains it well.
https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/art-and-stories/vincent-van-...
Very sad.
Re: Van Gogh’s Self-Portraits
#6> On 23 December 1888, Vincent cut off his left ear in a state of total confusion. The evidence we have now strongly points to that Gauguin cut it off during an argument.
First time I’m hearing this theory. Could you elaborate?
I'll try to do it justice in a comment but the book is here: "Van Gogh's Ear: Paul Gauguin and the Pact of Silence," by Hans Kaufmann and Rita Wildegans
A lot of circumstantial evidence but it's pretty telling. Paul Gauguin was an expert swordsman who carried a particular sword with him at all times. He and Vincent would have terrible fights when they lived together in Arles. We know that Paul was scheduled to move away the next day and that night they had a big fight and that Paul left town immediately in a rush leaving his sword behind. The new evidence that was found recently is a doctor's rendering of the cut ear. It's an extremely clean cut from the top, straight down.
There's more to it but those are some interesting details.
Re: Van Gogh’s Self-Portraits
#7Re: Van Gogh’s Self-Portraits
#8I used to "not get" why Van Gogh is considered to be so special. After reading his biography and his letters, I am now in the know. Van Gogh is an interesting case. He was very familiar with the art world, even before he started drawing and painting. He worked as an art dealer and traveled a lot when he was young. Where it gets interesting is when he sets out to become an artist himself. Over the course of only ten y…
One thing that most people don't realize is that the "in person" experience of these paintings is dramatically different to seeing a picture in a book or on a screen.
This got driven home when we visited the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.
All the pictures are quite good. But if you put a bunch of different artists works together in a room, even as a rank amateur some of the paintings just immediately jump out at you. It's quite staggering just how much they jump out--and those are almost always done by one of the masters.
Another thing that people don't realize is that paintings have a third dimension--and that a lot of the masters used it. Again--the in-person experience mattrers.
Re: Van Gogh’s Self-Portraits
#9I used to "not get" why Van Gogh is considered to be so special. After reading his biography and his letters, I am now in the know. Van Gogh is an interesting case. He was very familiar with the art world, even before he started drawing and painting. He worked as an art dealer and traveled a lot when he was young. Where it gets interesting is when he sets out to become an artist himself. Over the course of only ten y…
I agree. The man's work was impressive. What many see as his signature style was not a quirk or a limit to his talent, but the result of his talent and his drive. He had got proficient in painting in multiple styles and had been intentionally developing a style to be his own.
Re: Van Gogh’s Self-Portraits
#10I used to "not get" why Van Gogh is considered to be so special. After reading his biography and his letters, I am now in the know. Van Gogh is an interesting case. He was very familiar with the art world, even before he started drawing and painting. He worked as an art dealer and traveled a lot when he was young. Where it gets interesting is when he sets out to become an artist himself. Over the course of only ten y…
One thing that most people don't realize is that the "in person" experience of these paintings is dramatically different to seeing a picture in a book or on a screen. This got driven home when we visited the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. All the pictures are quite good. But if you put a bunch of different artists works together in a room, even as a rank amateur some of the paintings just immediately jump out at you. It's q…
The Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam tells you everything you need to know about the person and his craft. It’s carries his name because it’s a whole museum building filled with his work. Literally 1000 drawings and paintings. And it’s definitely a must see in person and no matter how many times I’ve been, every visit to Amsterdam is accompanied by a visit to the Van Gogh museum.
True workaholic life’s work.