Vincent Willem van Gogh (30/3/1853 —- 29/7/1890) was a Post Impressionist painter of Dutch origin, whose work —– notable for its rough beauty, emotional honesty and bold colours —– had a far-reaching influence on 20th Century Art.He began to draw as a child, and he continued to draw throughout the years that led up to his decision to become an artist. He did not begin painting until his late twenties, completing many of is well-known works during the last years of his life.
In just over a decade, he produced more than 2,100 artworks consisting of 860 oil paintings and more than 1,300 watercolours, drawings, sketches and prints. His work included self-portraits, landscapes, still-life, portraits as well as paintings of cypresses, wheat fields and sunflowers.
Despite a widespread tendency to romanticize his ill-health, modern critics see an artist deeply frustrated by the inactivity and incoherence brought about by his bouts of illness. According to art critic, Robert Hughes, Van Gogh’s late works show an artist at the height of his ability, completely in control, and “longing for concision and graces” — After years of painful anxiety and frequent bouts of mental illness, he died aged 37 from a gunshot wound, generally accepted to be self-inflicted, though the gun was never found. His work was known to only a handful of people and appreciated by fewer still. The most comprehensive primary source for the understanding of Van Gogh, as an artist, is the collection of letters between him and his younger brother, art dealer Theo van Gogh, exchanged between 1872 and 1890 : more than 600 from Vincent to Theo and 40 from Theo to Vincent.
Dutch artist and designer Daan Roosegaarde was inspired by the iconic painting, STARRY NIGHT, by Vincent van Gogh, to design a beautiful and innovative glowing bike path that, when illuminated by glowing pebbles and LEDs, looks similar to the famous painting. The one kilometre-long path was built using both the glow-in-the-dark technology and solar-powered LEDs. This bike pathway is located in Brabant, the Dutch county where Van Gogh was born and raised. According to Bored Panda, this pathway is also environment friendly.
Van Gogh’s Quotes
(1) There may be a great fire in our hearts, yet no one ever comes to warm himself at it, and the passers-by see only a wisp of smoke and continue on their way.(2) Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.(3) I am still far from being what I want to be, but with God’s help, I will succeed.(4) I dream of painting and then I paint my dream.(5) As we advance in life, it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed.(6) Paintings have a life of their own, that derives from the painter’s soul.(7) I see drawings and paint pictures in the poorest of huts and the dirtiest of corners.
(9) Be silent on services you have rendered, but speak of favours you have received.
(19) Any issue in India is complete only after : A twitter trend. An Arnav rant. A Sakshi Maharaja quote. A Chetan Bhagat solution.
SPEAKZEASY 