Friday 5 October 2012

Vincent Van Gogh - Straw Hut and Windmill

 
Vincent Van Gogh - Straw Hut and Windmill
 

SUBJECT MATTER

In my opinion, in this picture is shown the routine. The atmosphere looks monotone. The picture convoys melancholy, routine. The idea that it explores is that of nature/ autumn.

 

TECHNIQUE

The artwork was drawn in charcoal. The marks on the right side of the artwork, look like a path, or the edge of the field that had just been plough. The lines are getting closer and closer as they further to the horizon. The lines from the bottom right corner are also quickly drawn, on the other side, the straw huts and the windmill look drawn in detail. The consistency of the paint is thin. The extent has been slightly stylised, it has been simplified. The artwork creates an illusion that some straw huts are further away than other. Colour has not been used, as it was sketched in charcoal. The painting looks middle toned. It also looks rough ( for example bottom right corner) but it also looks smooth (for example the middle of a straw hut). The artwork is sketched from the eye level.

 

ARTIST’S CAREER

  • Vincent Willem van Gogh  - Lived between 30 March 1853 – 29 July 1890. He was a Dutch post-impressionist painter whose work, notable for its rough beauty, emotional honesty and bold color, had a far-reaching influence on 20th-century art. During his lifetime there were a few historical events taking place, like:

Battle of Inkerman (Crimean War ) 1854
American Civil War 1861-65
Zulu Wars 1879
Boer War 1899--1902
Whitechapel Murders 1888
Foundation of Red Cross 1859-60
Sepoy Mutiny( Indian Mutiny ) 1857
Death of Prince Albert (Queen Victoria`s husband) 1861
Abraham Lincoln Assassinated 1865

 

Vincent van Gogh lived more than 115 years ago, and yet his artwork is still altering the way mankind views beauty, persona, individuality, and style in art. His thousands of paintings and drawings have various characteristics that have been copied by thousands and duplicated by none. Van Gogh's unique life has inspired millions to become active in art. In fact, what many people today consider to be the archetypical "artist persona" is largely a result of his influence.

Vincent van Gogh was an impressionists and post impressionists. Van Gogh's use of this new impressionist and post impressionist style altered not only his work, but also all of art history.

Quotations

If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.
I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.
I dream of painting and then I paint my dream.
I wish they would only take me as I am.
Starry starry night, paint your palette blue and grey
Look out on a summer's day with eyes that know the darkness in my soul

Shadows on the hills, sketch the trees and the daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills, in colors on the snowy linen land.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity How you tried to set them free
They would not listen they did not know how, perhaps they'll listen now.

Patrick Heron