“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together” Vincent Van Gaogh
Vincent Van Gogh was born in 1853 in the Netherlands. He is considered to be one of the greatest post-impressionist Painters. He experienced mental health concerns throughout his short life. He valued humanity, he was compassionate about his art, his love, and his friendship. His perception of what he used to see can be witnessed through his brushstrokes. These quotes give a glimpse into the mind of Vincent Van Gogh.
I came to know him when I was 16, I came across this book of his art work and some of his life experiences. His art evoked a lot of emotions and feeling in me. It felt like I am feeling what he might be feeling (that’s what it felt at that time). I was so excited to see his art which I can call not perfect and that was so reassuring to me and I appreciated that. I was fascinated with the idea of his drawing or painting as it was speaking with the viewer such as a chair or a bed it did feel that people did sit there and slept there. His art speaks emotions and movement. And his mindset and his sharing of his thoughts as we can see now in many of his quotes:
“One must work and dare if one really wants to live.”
“The heart of man is very much like the sea, it has its storms, it has its tides and, in its depths, it has its pearls too”
“It is not the language of painters but the language of nature which one should listen to, the feeling for the things themselves, for reality is more important than the feeling for pictures.”
“How much there is in art that is beautiful if only one can remember what one has seen, one is never empty or truly lonely, and never alone.”
Van Gogh in a letter to his brother Theo, ‘ Today I am probably going to begin on the interior of the cafe where I have a room, by gas light, in the evening. It is what they call here a cafe de nuit (they are fairly frequent here), staying open all night. Night prowlers can take refuge there when they have no money to pay for a lodging, or are too drunk to be taken in.”
This is a powerful statement he used his brushstrokes to communicate his feelings and emotions- infused his works with his emotions, typical of what was later called Expressionism. The clock, the curtain, the shadow, the tables, the red painted walls is quiet loud, the floor, ordinary tired people, the lamps with too much glow ( a little annoying). Feelings are described by his strokes; expressions are highlighted by the thickness of his use of colours.
Some of his works displayed below.
The Night Cafe, 1888 by Vincent Van Gogh
The Red Vineyard, 1888
Bedroom in Arles, 1889
Skull of a Skeleton with Burning Cigarette, 1985-86
Olive Trees, 1889
