A Colorful Person: Vincent Van Gogh

beautiful starry-night-by-van-gogh-1853-1890-us-public-domain-commonswikimedia-org

“The way to know life is to love many things.”
~Vincent Van Gogh

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To say this man was misunderstood is an understatement. To say there were probably many reasons for that, again, is an understatement. To associate this great artist with the phenomena of color is quite obvious. Vincent lived and breathed color and he is this month’s colorful person.

Vincent Van Gogh, a man never appreciated in his lifetime is one of the most well-known artists today. His work has inspired many and his story is certainly sad and compelling. He was one of history’s tragic figures. He gave so much and got so little in return. I must admit that I have a soft spot in my heart for this man, this person who saw beyond reality, who shared his profound soul with his beautiful art and lost his mind in the process.

van gogh with ear

“I wish they would only take me as I am.”
Vincent Van Gogh

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In essence he was lonely. To him probably the loneliest person in the world. I can certainly identify with the feeling. Vincent was misunderstood and alone in an unforgiving and harsh world.  I can understand being totally consumed and compelled by one’s art to devote oneself so fully to it….only to be ignored. Vincent wanted to share his beauty with the world and in his lifetime the only person who truly cared about him was his brother Theo. It was Theo who supported Vincent monetarily and enabled Vincent to keep painting.

Van_Gogh_Twelve_Sunflowers wikimedia commons

Ever since I first beheld a Van Gogh I have been entranced with these genuine masterpieces. His paintings embrace the soul of color. They inspire me and I cannot get enough of their imperfect beauty.

Vincent Van Gogh made the world a better place, a lovelier place. Perhaps it was his suffering which enhanced his vision. His devotion to his craft was more than apparent in his work.

van gogh irises-1889 wikipaintings

It is through this story of Vincent Van Gogh that has allowed me to realise just how fleeting life can be and how beauty and talent can endure beyond the life of the artist. It is due to his story, this wild man of color that I have learned not to be so judgemental. Who knows what hidden talent and beauty lies behind the eyes of any random stranger I may encounter. Everyone has something wonderful about them. It is the norms of society that at times does not fully appreciate this, but I try to. For Vincent’s sake and for mine.

~Strawberryindigo.

Vincent_van_Gogh_(1853-1890)_-_Wheat_Field_with_Crows_(1890)

“One may have a blazing hearth in one’s soul and yet no one ever came to sit by it.  Passers-by see only a wisp of smoke from the chimney and continue on their way.”
~Vincent Van Gogh

♥

Want to know more?

Vincent (Starry Starry Night) By Don McLean (youtube)  *A sadly beautiful song*

Vincent Van Gogh (Wikipedia)

The Van Gogh Online Gallery

 Vincent

Related VINCENT articles

Favorite Song: “Vincent” or “Starry, Starry Night” by Don McLean. (dshenai.wordpress.com)

The Expressive Vincent van Gogh (segmation.wordpress.com)

Daily Love Quote: #7 (Vincent van Gogh) (skillcode.wordpress.com)

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Author: Natalia Ravenswiid

Pen Name of nmw

30 thoughts on “A Colorful Person: Vincent Van Gogh”

  1. Pingback: 3 things you may not know about Vincent Van Gogh | fuzzscinating

  3. Great post. If only he knew how much his paintings are worth now…… I love his paintings and his quotes, especailly this one :“The way to know life is to love many things.”
    ~Vincent Van Gogh

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  4. The last quotation about the hearth in one’s soul hit me in the heart. I agree, Nancy, judge not. Judgment causes us to walk by the hearths of beautiful souls. Lovely tribute. {{{hugs}}} Kozo

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  6. You must go to the Musee D’Orsay in Paris! They have a whole room of his paintings including self-portraits painted over many years. You can see the heartache and despondency descend as the years go by. By the time I got to the last self-portrait tears were flowing down my face. His anguish is so palpable. Strangely, Van Gogh is someone who helps me remain hopeful and optimistic. His life shows that you have no way of knowing what impact your life will have.
    There was a wonderful Dr. Who episode where The Doctor brought Vincent to the present to see how now he is respected as an artist and how his paintings are loved and honored. If only that could really happen, so that Vincent’s anguish could be eased.

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    1. Oh Janet. You have a beautiful soul, you know. I thought I was the only one who wept upon seeing his original work…I would love to go to Paris someday and also the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam. That would be a dream come true my friend. Yes, I agree if Vincent would have seen his impact on the world, it would have eased his anguish.

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  7. Wonderful post… I was just talking about him the other day; how he was a bit lost in a world that didn’t understand him completely. Thank goodness for the love and support of his brother Theo. One of my favorite quotes of his: “Be clearly aware of the stars and infinity on high. Then life seems almost enchanted after all.”

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  10. His sunflowers painting is one of my all-time favourites. At a summer school we once created an absolutely gigantic copy of it with our students. Lovely post Nancy!

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