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The Masterworks of Van Gogh
The book describes the life of the artist and includes 120 colour reproductions of his best-known and best-loved paintings.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
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May 9, 2023
The best part about the book is that there is no assumption made to the accounts which are not supported by facts. And the next best thing is that whenever there is an account which is ambiguous it is left to the reader for speculation followed by author's point of view.
I have seen The Starry Night at multiple occasions - it is hard to miss it. I have known the name Van Gogh as well for a long time. But that was it. I did not know that the master piece I kept seeing was in fact a master piece. I felt it was just there, made famous because of vibrant colors and swirly stars (pardon the conclusion as I am a novice). Not long time ago, I decided to check out the Modern Art course from Coursera by MoMA. Why I did it I have no clue but it felt right to do it. It is one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I found a new outlook for Modern Art. I no longer pass by wondering "What's good about it?" but I stay and wonder all sorts of stories behind it.
One chapter was on Van Gogh - The Starry Night. As the course focused more on the art I found the artist more interesting and read a ton. The truth be told I was disappointed. Many blogs were filled with dramatised version of his life. I am sure as none of them provided any citation. He was believed to be the artist who never saw his success. I believed it too but it bothered me. Maybe not the extent or prime of success he is at today but then he must have been appreciated. He painted a lot. Surely, his art would have found its gazers. There are many misconceptions about him on the Internet so it was hard to follow through. I stopped.
One day visiting the library I saw this book on display and wondered if I should try it out. My librarian was not sure if it was for me as I have never shown an ounce of interest in art before. But I mentioned the course and how I was confused about his life. I checked out the book and spent every night with Van Gogh.
There is no doubt that the author has been true to his subject. There is no need to dramatise Van Gogh's life because in itself whatever is known it is a tragedy. It is a detoriation of a life. It is a rather short journey (of the known accounts) but full of loneliness and sacrifices. It is such a tale where when success comes to Van Gogh he believes it to be unworthy of it. If he could see what is his status in today's world he might shoot himself again. He would be in a rage. He would tell us to check out other artists. The loneliness and sacrifice he made for the art made him oblivious of his own mastery.
A sign of master
I have read it many times that not copying but creative copying is quick way of learning from masters who are not with us. Van Gogh had already done this in his lifetime.
The book is amazing with the paintings on each page and reference to them during their creation just adds to the beauty. I cannot wait to read other Masterworks.
I have seen The Starry Night at multiple occasions - it is hard to miss it. I have known the name Van Gogh as well for a long time. But that was it. I did not know that the master piece I kept seeing was in fact a master piece. I felt it was just there, made famous because of vibrant colors and swirly stars (pardon the conclusion as I am a novice). Not long time ago, I decided to check out the Modern Art course from Coursera by MoMA. Why I did it I have no clue but it felt right to do it. It is one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I found a new outlook for Modern Art. I no longer pass by wondering "What's good about it?" but I stay and wonder all sorts of stories behind it.
One chapter was on Van Gogh - The Starry Night. As the course focused more on the art I found the artist more interesting and read a ton. The truth be told I was disappointed. Many blogs were filled with dramatised version of his life. I am sure as none of them provided any citation. He was believed to be the artist who never saw his success. I believed it too but it bothered me. Maybe not the extent or prime of success he is at today but then he must have been appreciated. He painted a lot. Surely, his art would have found its gazers. There are many misconceptions about him on the Internet so it was hard to follow through. I stopped.
One day visiting the library I saw this book on display and wondered if I should try it out. My librarian was not sure if it was for me as I have never shown an ounce of interest in art before. But I mentioned the course and how I was confused about his life. I checked out the book and spent every night with Van Gogh.
There is no doubt that the author has been true to his subject. There is no need to dramatise Van Gogh's life because in itself whatever is known it is a tragedy. It is a detoriation of a life. It is a rather short journey (of the known accounts) but full of loneliness and sacrifices. It is such a tale where when success comes to Van Gogh he believes it to be unworthy of it. If he could see what is his status in today's world he might shoot himself again. He would be in a rage. He would tell us to check out other artists. The loneliness and sacrifice he made for the art made him oblivious of his own mastery.
Although appreciation was consequently slow in coming. Van Gogh was not the complete failure that legend has made him out to be. In 1889-90 his art began to be praised and written about fairly often, albeit only in avant-garde circles. Because he died in July 1890, this seems pitifully little; but looked at in a different time context - that of his mere eight years of activity as a painter it was better than might have been expected for a supposedly misunderstood genius.
A sign of master
Creative Copying: He also returned to his earlier practice of copying other artists' works. Apart from the fact that it could be done indoors, copying was a way of learning, and although he was now a great master (without fully recognizing the fact), Van Gogh's urge to learn remained very strong.
I have read it many times that not copying but creative copying is quick way of learning from masters who are not with us. Van Gogh had already done this in his lifetime.
The book is amazing with the paintings on each page and reference to them during their creation just adds to the beauty. I cannot wait to read other Masterworks.
Displaying 1 of 1 review