Vincent Van Gogh is surely the epitome of a tortured artist. His paintings of sunflowers, stars and fields of wheat were not only a way to capture a physical landscape, but a way of expressing the landscape of his own mind. A mind which was worn from epileptic fits, depression, anxiety, and frustration - but also with intelligent theories, creative visions and a quest for religious salvation. Was he crazy? Or was his mind just zealously full?
I found it quite interesting that Van Gogh didn't begin painting until he was 30 years old. Even without formal training, he was able to convey strong emotions in his impressionist style works. I also found it interesting that
I also liked the way the story was told by Schama, using the actor to portay Van Gogh, and delivering his message through the words of the actual letters he wrote to his younger brother, Theo. This was a unique take on film making, and a good introduction into the wild mind of the artist.
Theo financially supported his brother through the years, as he traveled from his homeland of Holland, to London, Belgium and France. In return, he would send his brother, who was an art dealer, paintings to be sold. Unfortunately, no one found his paintings appealing enough to purchase in the beginning.
His early works, such as 'The Potato Eaters', were indeed 'murky' in their colors and thick brush strokes, but they still represented strong feelings. The dark, thick colors may have dissuaded art collectors, who were looking to display classic beauty, rather than realistic, peasant filled scenes.
When Van Gogh made his way to France, he discovered (and became addicted to) color. Perhaps it was the journey, or the new location itself, but as Schama described, "like the sunflowers, Vincent turns his face into the nourishing light". After eventually learning the trade of impressionist painting, but managing to maintain his own style, Van Gogh played with opposite colors in a way that made them complement each other. Blues and yellows began to boldly make his works became alive and aggressive, while reds and greens played against each other to portray contrasts in art versus contrasts in life.
I was a bit confused in regards to Van Gogh's relationship with artist Paul Gogan, but then again, Van Gogh was a bit of a confused fellow, as well, From what I gathered, Van Gogh had wanted Gogan to join him when he resided in Provence to create an artist retreat. This creative commune would allow them a chance to combine forces to create magnificent works of art from both of their styles fused together. However, the relationship did not work out as either had hoped. Although Van Gogh created numerous new paintings (often daily!), it didn't seem that Gogan took him or his work seriously. Their philosophies on art were just too different.
I imagine it was difficult to take Van Gogh seriously when he did things like slice off a piece of his earlobe and present it to a prostitute as a gift (I suppose sunflowers would have certainly been less memorable). But I also can only imagine what was going in his own mind, as he struggled to create paintings to ward off his insanity.
Ultimately taking his own life, it seems Van Gogh lost his battle with his own mind. But he has succeeded in his quest to touch people deeply with his messages. And because we understand it on such a soulful level, I guess that means we're all a little crazy, too.
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