Van Gogh and God: A Creative Spiritual Quest

by Cliff Edwards, Henri J.M. Nouwen (Foreword), Henri J. Nouwem (Foreword)

Explore the depth of this brilliant and tortured artist's spirituality and find a new Van Gogh -- philosopher of life, unorthodox theologian, and determine seeker for global spirituality.

Genres: Art, Religion, Nonfiction

219 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1989

Reviews

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this at a yard sale two years ago, and I'm working my way through the books I currently have on my shelf. I got more out of this than I expected and I feel inspired to read more Zen Buddhist philosophy. Through excerpts of Vincent Van Gogh's personal correspondence, Cliff Edwards constructs a symbolic analysis of Van Gogh's painting bolstered by his own words. By marrying his Calvinist upbringing and later interest in Japanese ukiyo-e prints, Edwards posits that Van Gogh creates a painting ethic informed by nature and service to a greater cause. The author describes a search for unity in Van Gogh's work and his interdependence with nature, specifically in the Provence region of France.

[Louie · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like 4.5 this was a really interesting look into Vincent’s art and philosophy. I found it very comprehensive, although at times I found myself having to go back and reread small sections to ensure I actually understood what I was reading. This could be due to the fact that this is because I read this as part of my research for a paper, meaning it was mostly read later at night after a day of lectures and additional homework. That being said I still really enjoyed it, and I would love to learn the author published some sort of a follow up with some of the more recent information learned about Vincent.

[Dr. Jon Pirtle]

Long fascinated by van Gogh's work and even by the man, I read this book with zest. It is clear that Edwards appreciates van Gogh, that he (Edwards) likewise loves much of the same literature that van Gogh did in his day, and that both men exchanged views of biblical orthodoxy to something vague and perhaps bordering on panentheism (for van Gogh) and impermanence as wisdom (for Edwards).

[Travis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mistitled book in the sense that roughly half the book is on topic and the remainder on symbolism and other things relating to Vincent Van Gogh. Disappointed.

[Michael Relland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once you are told that VanGogh began his working life as a minister, the world becomes a bit mysterious and therefore this book's existence is necessary.

[Morgan Cobbs · Rating 1 out of 5]

this shit was boring asf and i only had to read it for school and skimmed thru 80% of it

[Glenn Guillory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that filled in a blank space in my study of Vincent Van Gogh. I decided to study all the materials I could about and by Van Gogh. I found this book by chance but it now seems that this book found me as if by divine intervention. I had been seeking some way to explain or elucidate the profundity of spiritual truth in Van Gogh’s work and life. I got a major enlightenment reading this book which fully satisfied my need to understand Vincent’s seemingly unbounded altruism and dedication to his subjects, the common man, the peasant workers. I found an explanation of the genesis and development of Vincent’s faith and how it evolved and he freed himself from strictures of traditionalism and how he implemented a program for service to his brethren.

I cannot say enough about this book. I was a seminarian and lived four years in a monastic community and have a sense of the monastic ideal as it displays itself in Vincent’s life, how he sought to establish a commune of artists who would be enabling the common man via the vehicle of art.

It is my favorite book of 2017. I neared the end of the book in thrall of it’s effectiveness, but when I began to run across Tillich, and other names in theology and how their work jived with Vincent’s views. I actually had such an exciting experience as the book concluded that I cried suddenly and to my surprise, remembering my own life-long spiritual director’s influence in my life.

Vincent really was devoted to the poor, like a Saint Francis, like a Christ!

[Mike Staresinic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revisiting this book after 25 years as an inspiration to haiku and other poetry in the spiritual work of van Gogh. Art critics and historians recognize the deep spiritualism of van Gogh through letters to Theo describing his art, and his upbringing in a religious family. Until Edwards, no theologians had taken a crack at a full-length book.

Cliff Edwards taught Zen Buddhism at Virginia Commonwealth University in a class I was lucky to attend in 1990, not long after the book came out. Re-re-reading "Van Gogh and God" recaptures the spirit of exploration, a quest through art of something deeper. For homework, Edwards had us breathing and walking meditation, and visiting nature to write haiku - a Chickahominy River canoe trip a memorable exploration of cypress and water, and the surprise that is the hallmark of the form.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading this book for my Doctor of Ministry and am finding it quite fascinating. It will make me take more looks at the work of Van Gogh.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Van Gogh being my favorite artists, I chose him for my paper topic in my Christianity and Art class at DTS. It was a fascinating read and gave me deeper appreciation for the man.