Realism, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism (c. 1850 – 1900s) (Leaving Cert Art): Model Answers

Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890)

Sample Essay: The Deeper Meaning behind Van Gogh's Paintings

The paintings of Vincent Van Gogh create a visual diary of his life. Discuss this statement making reference to at least two paintings by Van Gogh. Refer in detail to the subject matter, composition, colour, technique and to the distinctive style of the artist

And

Briefly describe and discuss Van Gogh's influence on artists of the twentieth century

I agree with the above statement that Van Gogh's paintings create a visual diary of his life. He suffered mental anguish throughout his life and this is often reflected in his paintings, particularly his later ones

Firstly, I would like to make reference to an earlier painting by Van Gogh titled 'Rooftops in Paris'. This was painted in 1886, just shortly after he moved to Paris to learn more about Impressionism. The subject matter is the skyline in Paris, which he could see from his apartment window. The composition of the painting is divided in two. The bleak sky dominates the top half while the Parisian rooftops take over the bottom half of the painting. His earlier works such as this were often created using pencils and watercolours. However, 'Rooftops in Paris' is oil on canvas. It was also typical of him to levitate towards darker, bleaker colours such as grey, and earthy colours which can be seen towards the bottom of the composition. The muted colours in this painting shows how Van Gogh's style was rooted in the Dutch Realist tradition at this point. They also suggest a melancholy atmosphere which could reflect his inner feelings at the time.

'The Starry Night' is one of his later paintings and is based on his view from outside his asylum window. At the time, he was mentally ill and he sought help in an asylum called Saint Remy, France. The subject matter of this piece is the view of a village below, with a dramatic, swirling sky above it. It is clear that the sky in this composition is the main focus, as it dominates three quarters of the composition. It includes turbulent, agitated and rapid swirling patterns and brush strokes. This makes it look almost wave-like. The sky is filled with stars, including a crescent moon and Venus. Concentric circles of light yellow and white paint surround the stars to exaggerate their appearance. Beneath the night sky lies a humble village which surrounds a church. The steeple of the church rises sharply above the blue mountains in the background, highlighting the building further.

The village is more calming which contrasts with the sky. The hint of warm orange lights coming from the village homes also contrast with the mainly blue colour scheme. His clever painting of the dark Cypress tree unites the picture well. It effectively connects the landscape to the sky. His rapid brush strokes add a sense of turbulence and could reflect Van Gogh's inner turmoil, considering he painted this piece in an asylum. The predominantly blue tones also reflect a cold, sad tone which is also suggestive of his mental state at this time.

'Wheatfield with Crows' is a painting that I feel creates an accurate visual diary of the end of Van Gogh's life. This is often claimed to be one of his very last paintings before his death in 1890. This is a painting of the wheat fields of Auvers, France. Although there is a lot of colour, it is an extremely bleak painting. The sky is turbulent, stormy and even ominous. Hints of black can be seen in the sky, which was present in 'The Starry Night'. The crows in the painting could symbolise bad luck and even death. The composition also includes three pathways, each leading to dead ends. His use of quick, almost rushed looking brush strokes shows his despair and outpouring of emotion. It is no wonder some see it as Van Gogh's suicide note but written onto canvas. There are extremely powerful colour combinations in this painting, such as the blue sky and yellow wheat fields. It is clear that towards the end of his career he developed an extremely unique style, abandoning his earlier use of bleak, muted tones for brighter and more vibrant colours, and using broken brush strokes and impasto.

Van Gogh sold just one painting during his lifetime, and his art was not generally appreciated at the time. His use of strong colours and lines and the intense, emotional quality of his paintings influenced many successful artists such as Picasso and German Expressionists in the twentieth century. Over 800 of his oil paintings survived, as well as over 1000 watercolours and sketches. Many of his paintings have sold for millions today, highlighting further his influence in the twenty-first century as well as the twentieth.