Get Inspired by Madness: "Van Gogh Up Close" at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

By Barbara Hionides

He was addicted to absinthe, ate lead and paint, vigorously mumbled to himself, cut off his ear in the name of a broken heart, and most importantly created timeless masterpieces. Van Gogh. He was a genius of his time, even if no one saw it until years later. He created art works that were soon to be highly respected in the art world, bringing a new light to perspective, psychological fears, and depiction of light in art. They say that true creativity is born from madness, and in this case it is evident.

The Dutch post-impressionist painter had created over 2,100 works in his short 37 years of life, before he committed suicide. He started painting and drawing from an early age, highly involved in building his skill set as an artist. He soon found himself working for art dealers, later wanting to become a pastor, and finally deciding to stick to art when in 1886 he moved to Paris. When studying the impressionist style, one can note small colorful brushstrokes, a great emphasis on expressing light, depiction of realistic subject matter in an unconventional abstract way, and the movement of objects expressed through color and brush strokes. Van Gogh did just that. His style changed once he had discovered this new method of expression through painting. He emphasized colors, light and objects’ angles to create an accurate depiction of how he, having a mental illness, saw his subject matter emotionally and psychologically.

Fortunately for Van Gogh Up Close, a traveling exhibition of his most notable, unusual paintings done at the time of his mental turmoil’s peak, we can view these works in Philadelphia. The exhibition opened on February 1^st and will end on May 6^th at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Be sure to visit Van Gogh’s legendary works such as “Rain,” which is a depiction of his window while staying at the Clinique of San Paul after several mental breakdowns. Other works such as “Almond Blossom,” “Garden in Auvers” and many more show the true genius use of color, shadows and lines Van Gogh created through this works. The emotional and psychological impact his paintings unleash, reveal how art can truly inspire and allow for us to see the world through the artists's eyes. 

"Rain", France, 1889.

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2012/02/03/arts/design/20120203-VANGOGH-9.html

http://www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/743.html