Vincent van Gogh (1853 – 1890) Dutch Post Impressionist Painter
Personal Expression
Realism, which had gained momentum since the Renaissance, took a back seat for the first time as Impressionism emerged in the 1860’s. Artists who followed this explosion of free expression felt free to explore the ideas of drawing and painting in any way they wished. The late 19 th century painters explored a completely new world of color with the invention of new brighter colors and convenient tubes that allowed pre-mixed paint to be purchased and used out of doors. Impressionists were fond of painting outdoor scenes of the people and places of their own time. The purpose of painting changed from showing important people in historical settings to showing the common and mundane lives of people in everyday settings. This shift in attitude affected the next generation of artists who were called Post Impressionists. These artists faced a new and daunting invention, the camera, which seemed to replace the need for painting in realistic ways. Artists now looked for new reasons to paint and the idea of personal expression was born. To be great, artists needed to show viewers a new world in paint that went beyond what the camera could capture. Personal expression is a recent ideal of the artist. Copying or making studies from someone else’s work is a great way for artists to learn, but they are expected to show only their original works to the public. Laws are now in effect that prohibit making a profit from an image created by another person, even if it is changed in some way. Artwork displayed to the public must be unique. It must express something of personal interest to the artist.
Vincent van Gogh is one of the most famous painters in modern times. At sixteen years old, he went to work for his uncle who was an art dealer. In his twenties Van Gogh preached the Gospel in a poor coal-mining district. While there, he began making art. He painted the people of that area. His work as a pastor did not flourish as he’d hoped so he decided to follow his other interest: art. In 1886, he went to Paris and began using vivid colors in highly experimental ways. In his lifetime, he only sold one painting. After ten years of intense production, while under medical care for depression, he committed suicide. His is a story of a man who struggled with life rather than one who found rest or success within it. That fact does not lessen his commitment to God. He desired to show the beauty of the natural world. He is especially noted for using bright color and creating thick texture with oil paint. His landscape paintings vibrate with energy. In notes to his brother, Theo, he talked about life and painting. These letters let us know what Van Gogh thought about his work. He wrote that he felt the presence of God when he painted, as he perceived God in all living things.
Draw some objects that have interesting texture. Van Gogh seemed to use lines that flowed in the directions of what he was looking at. Every patch of plant life created a different texture. As you look at your objects, draw the surface. Try new ways of making marks.
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