A starry night, a mental man, a cut-off ear, and a gallery of masterpieces; these are all things Vincent Van Gogh is known for. Sure, you might be familiar with the Starry Night or his sunflowers, but do you know the meaning or the intent behind his pieces of art, which were so significant and ahead of their time? Let’s find out.
First, who is Vincent Van Gogh? Van Gogh, a painter from the Netherlands, was born on March 30, 1853. He had two brothers and three sisters; however, he was a very lonely man. Vincent never married and this, paired with his manic depression in adulthood, probably led to heartbreak, doubts of self-worth, and the many hurtful reactions that come from rejection. Van Gogh also had a failed career as an evangelist. The combination of his failed career and failed romance led to his manic depression.
The Starry Night – Van Gogh’s most popular work, with a beautifully heartbreaking story behind each stroke of oil paint. Van Gogh painted this in 1889 while he was in an asylum. He felt isolated, longing for a sense of peace. This piece of art conveys a profound connection between nature and human beauty and mind. The twists and turns of the brush strokes that create the mesmerizing image are meant to represent his inner turmoil and distress. This is now one of the most recognizable and highly appreciated pieces of work in the world of art.
Van Gogh suffered greatly from mental illnesses, including major depression, mania, psychosis, and hallucinations. He was an incredibly troubled man, which was portrayed in his art; it is incredible how such a dark, troubled mind could create such alluring pieces. The story behind Van Gogh’s cut-off ear is quite disturbing. He was fighting with his artist friend, Paul Gaugin, and he began hallucinating, having attacks that led to unconsciousness. During one of these attacks, he cut off part of his left ear. Later, he could recall nothing about the event.
The Almond Blossom tree – This piece of art is one of Van Gogh’s only pieces that convey hope. This painting was made in 1890, and he gifted it to his brother Theo after naming his newborn son after Van Gogh – Vincent. This painting is meant to represent lasting memories and hope, a blossom of a birth, a new life, a new beginning.
Van Gogh’s art was greatly unappreciated during his time alive. He wasn’t interested in marketing his talent, and his artwork was too ahead of his time, being later discovered shortly after he died on July 29, 1890. He is still one of the most famous and loved artists worldwide.
