The Color of Light: Poems on vanGogh's Late Paintings

by Marilyn Chandler McEntyre

The great Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh comes to life in a new light on the pages of this splendid volume. Through eloquent poetic meditations on Van Gogh's late paintings, Marilyn Chandler McEntyre shows how these artworks testify to divine presence, and she invites readers to find their way through form, color, and light into a new awareness of the Spirit. Some of McEntyre's poems remind us of the sorrows in the life of this solitary artist and of his infinite longing. Some convey Van Gogh's epiphanies of joy and energy, expressing themselves in color. McEntyre sees the paintings as inviting us to see things in a different light, and her poetry is an act of consent to that invitation, providing an intimate encounter with these great works. Evocatively pairing art and poetry on two-page spreads, The Color of Light is McEntyre's third in a trilogy of poetry books on Dutch master painters, each of which invites us to reflect not only on the artist's life and faith but also on our own.

Genres: Poetry

64 pages, Hardcover

First published August 15, 2007

About the author

Marilyn Chandler McEntyre is a fellow of the Gaede Institute for the Liberal Arts at Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California, and she teaches at UC Berkeley. Her other books include Drawn to the Light: Poems on Rembrandt's Religious Paintings, In Quiet Light: Poems on Vermeer's Women, and Patient Poets: Illness from Inside Out.

Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely and engaging poetry collection based on the late paintings of Vincent Van Gogh. The words and art correspond well, just as if they'd been designed for each other. A refreshing read and visual feast combined.

[Emma Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way that this small but beautiful book invited me to engage with Van Gogh's late works in a deeper, more intimate way. The poems open up the artworks, almost like a portal, lovingly considering the deeper meaning of each detail. I can already tell that this is a book I'm going to return to again and again!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the concept of this book more than the poems themselves.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Element of Ekphrasis

The late light of love
in these painterly poems
sets its spiritual sights
on earth and energy.

[Joey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great collection of paintings from my favorite Van Gogh phase, but the poetry......meh.

[Amy Reasoner · Rating 5 out of 5]

These poems were delightful in their own right, I loved them as much as I did because if this: I didn't think it was possible for me to love Van Gogh art any more, but these poems have given me one more reason to look at them a little closer, and find even more beauty.