Throughout history, art has been a means of expressing emotions and stories. From ancient times, people would use walls to depict hunts and express their beliefs. Vincent van Gogh is widely recognized as one of the greatest artists in history, particularly after Rembrandt. Unfortunately, Van Gogh was underappreciated during his lifetime. One notable work by Van Gogh is his Self-Portrait from 1889, created using oil on canvas. As a post-impressionist artist, Van Gogh taught himself but drew inspiration from Jean Francois Millet and artists from the Barbizon School. This self-portrait was painted at Musee d’Orsay in Paris before he left Saint-Remy-de-Provence in southern France. Due to financial limitations, Van Gogh turned to painting self-portraits since he couldn’t afford models. He hoped that these self-portraits would gain recognition from the art society of his time. In fact, he sent one such portrait to his brother along with a message highlighting how his facial expressions had become calmer while still showing insecurity in his eyes – an internal struggle often depicted in his self-portraits.Art historians believe that the pose depicted in the artwork was deemed unattractive, while the vibrant colors and patterns are thought to represent the artist’s emotional state. When examining any artwork, it is important to recognize that our interpretations may be wrong. We cannot accurately ascertain what message the artist intended during the painting process. Regarding van Gogh’s self-portrait specifically, he might have painted it without any profound significance, but it is also possible that his distress derived from his deteriorating mental health and lack of acknowledgement from influential figures in the art community.
Art is characterized by interpretation and individuality, as each person has their own unique perspectives. The emotional response evoked by a painting can be more important than the painting itself. Van Gogh’s self-portrait holds meaning for many individuals, as art has always been a means of conveying messages. Initially, the self-portrait may not appear exceptional at first glance. The limited use of color makes it difficult to distinguish the image from its background. Van Gogh’s expression appears gloomy and, as he stated in a note to his brother, filled with insecurity. The image starts in the bottom right corner and seems to expand outward. Although there is minimal color used in the painting, the blue, white, and carrot orange tones are notable. The carrot orange stands out and captures the viewer’s attention. It is unclear if the blue represents a sky background due to the swirling patterns. Van Gogh’s suit is also blue, blurring the distinction between his clothing and the background. His eyes share a similar blue hue, while his hair and beard add a vibrant touch with their striking carrot orange color.The absence of a bandaged ear in this painting by van Gogh is noteworthy, considering that it was created after the accident during which he unintentionally severed a portion of his own ear. It is possible that van Gogh felt embarrassed by this event and preferred not to permanently commemorate it in his artwork, although this remains purely speculative.
Van Gogh had already indicated his insecurity to critics through his eyes, but what aspect of his eyes conveyed this feeling? On closer examination, I observed that it was the nearly imperceptible squint and slight furrowing of the brow that gave the viewer the impression of the subject’s insecurity. Another characteristic of the painting that I noticed upon further scrutiny was the self-imposed isolation portrayed by van Gogh. There are no objects or props, and the self-portrait only captures the subject from the waist up, forcing the viewer to exclusively focus on the image. The location and season remain undisclosed, as the background is solely comprised of swirling patterns of blue, offering no indication whether it represents the sky or otherwise. It is worth mentioning that van Gogh was renowned for employing colors as symbols of expression. This would explain why he utilized only three colors in his self-portrait, with blue being predominantly featured. The usage of blue prompts viewers to speculate about the artist’s emotions during the creation of this self-portrait. Although blue is commonly associated with tranquility, it can also be perceived as cold and melancholic.Right after finishing his self-portrait, van Gogh’s mental state deteriorated, leading to his institutionalization and subsequent death.
The insecurity in his eyes and the color blue may have represented van Gogh’s acknowledgement and struggle against the impending madness that threatened to consume him before he could complete his art. Van Gogh was an immensely talented yet underestimated artist of his time who grappled with the passion and fervor that imbue his artwork with uniqueness. It is believed that he revolutionized modern art through his brief, frenetic brushstrokes that are so prominently featured in his paintings. The majority of his masterpieces were created within a mere three years, despite entering the art world relatively late, and it was soon after this prolific period that he descended into madness. It is truly remarkable that someone without any formal art training and a late start could develop such an extraordinary technique. Perhaps it was out of sheer necessity that van Gogh honed his technique, sensing himself losing grip on reality. The rapid brushstrokes may have served as a way for him to transfer his work onto paper and share it with the world, before completely losing his sanity and thereby forfeiting his ability to create happiness through beautiful artworks. Despite enduring significant disappointments in both his personal life and career, van Gogh remained unwavering in his determination to give life to his creations. There is an undeniable vulnerability in his paintings that resonates with viewers, suggesting that these disappointments played a role in teaching him to infuse his vulnerability into his artistic expressions.
Art is subjective and can be perceived differently by each individual. While I see a melancholic figure in this image, others may find meaning in the use of colors and the expression in the subject’s eyes. Although I can admire art, understanding it completely may always elude me. There are endless possibilities for what the artist intended, and it’s possible that people may misinterpret it without ever realizing. This uncertainty perhaps resonated with van Gogh, who struggled to find recognition for his brilliance as his contemporaries struggled to comprehend his artwork. The uncertainty underlying art could have driven him to madness, or perhaps one needs a touch of madness to create a lasting impact on the world through art. Scholars and experts in the field have analyzed this painting extensively, delving into van Gogh’s thoughts and emotions during that period of his life, undoubtedly providing more insightful interpretations than I can offer. This assignment has taught me to look beyond the surface and seek something that may not be immediately apparent. A passing glance at this painting wouldn’t reveal van Gogh’s insecurities; it requires careful study and reflection to truly appreciate it.
