Art Blog #199
4 hours ago
2 min read
Overview of some paintings from my two favourite art galleries in the UK - The Courtauld Gallery and The National Gallery - 'Self-portrait with bandaged ear' by Vincent Van Gogh at The Courtauld Gallery.
Vincent Van Gogh (quick facts)
Vincent van Gogh (born March 30, 1853, Zundert, Netherlands—died July 29, 1890, Auvers-sur-Oise, near Paris, France) was a Dutch painter, widely regarded as one of the foremost Post-Impressionists. Van Gogh began his artistic journey relatively late, starting at the age of 27. Over the following decade, he produced an impressive amount of work, including around 900 paintings and 1,100 drawings. His distinct personal style, known for its vivid color, expressive brushwork, and contoured shapes, emerged only in the final three years of his life.
Various Sources
Vincent Van Gogh's death
On 27 July 1890, he walked into a wheatfield and shot himself in the chest with a pistol. The wounded artist staggered back to his room at the Auberge Ravoux. Theo rushed from Paris to Auvers and was present when his brother died of his injuries on 29 July.
Vincent was buried at Auvers on 30 July 1890. His legacy was a large body of art works: over 850 paintings and almost 1,300 works on paper.
Paul writes:
I won't spend much time discussing Vincent Van Gogh's life, interpretations of his work, symbolism, or the emotions he might have felt while painting, as this has been covered extensively.
Instead, I'll share my thoughts on 'Self-portrait with bandaged ear,' painted in January 1889, the week of the incident.
If there ever was a painting that encapsulated an artist, this is it: bright and vivid colors, filled with tension and emotion, capturing perhaps the most infamous event in Western art, reflecting the influence of Japanese woodblock prints, and offering hope through an empty canvas in the background.
For me, this is quintessential Vincent Van Gogh, quintessential Impressionism, and art at its finest, showcasing an artist at his peak, displaying his remarkable and unique artistic skill.
Many people wonder, 'Imagine the art Vincent might have created if his life hadn't ended so soon.' My response is that this isn't the right question. Instead, we should ask, 'What motivated a person to be so prolific, skillful, and possess such an artistic vision?' By answering this, we start to grasp human consciousness and the pursuit of individuality and legacy.
Vincent Van Gogh's legacy endures 135 years after his passing, with millions of people celebrating his artistic talent and the lasting impact he has had on the art world.
In my opinion, this is by far Vincent Van Gogh's profound painting, and The Courtauld should be grateful to have it on display at their gallery in London.
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