Henry Ward Beecher once commented that "Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." Beecher undoubtedly has a point with this observation. One only has to look at the later works of Van Gogh and how the nature of his paintings changes as his own mood and mental state changes, in order to see the obviousness of the comment. The contrast between the happiness of the early work in Arles and the much more somber mood of e.g. Wheat Field with Crows, with its crossroads and coloring, speaks volumes.
However, there are even more personal paintings than those reflecting the mood of the artist at the time. Sometimes, the artist paint something more direct than his soul. Sometimes, the artist paints himself. The self portrait adds another layer to depth of the painting. We no longer have the potential to see just the internal turmoil and thoughts of the artist. We also see the artists view of himself. This creates an added duality and depth, as we get yet another lens through which to observe the artist.
Among the most prolific self portrait painters, we again find Vincent Van Gogh. In the period 1886 - 1889, where he in fact painted himself 37 times. Among these we find Self Portraits Without a Beard which was painted by Van Gogh in 1889 and sold at auction at Christies in 1989 for USD71.5 million. Self Portrait Without a Beard is as such among the most expensive paintings ever sold.
There are many noteworthy anecdotes when looking at the many self portraits painted by Van Gogh. First of all, it is interesting how, even though his art develops in so many ways, his portraits of himself are fairly static. Many of them were produced in the Paris years and the earlier ones thus use a darker palette. However, the technique and the heavy brush strokes remain constant almost throughout. The self portraits in Arles were fewer, with even a few showing Van Gogh with a bandaged ear. These were painted in very early 1889 following the incident with Gauguin that ended with Van Gogh cutting off part of his ear. Upon his move to Saint Remy, Van Gogh only painted himself from the left, thus showing the good side of his face. He never again painted a self portrait that showed his right side, where part of his ear was missing. It is also notable that as he moved to Auvers-sur-Oise in 1990 and enjoyed the most productive period in his artistic career, he did not paint self portraits any longer, though he did paint darker master pieces like Wheat Field with Crows. It could be that he preferred to paint himself only when he felt some level of internal peace, that once he felt the storm truly brewing inside, he did not feel the need to portray his outer appearance.
Whatever the case, the many self portraits of Van Gogh tell a story of a fairly singular self perception, even as emotions and ideas changed. It also shows how the mastery of Van Gogh was easily extended to his own person, thus leading to one of the most expensive painting ever sold being one he painted of himself.
Metropolitan Art in Motion: A Cultural Odyssey
The allure of metropolitan areas for art aficionados often lies in the rich tapestry of cultural offerings, particularly the museums that house the world's artistic treasures. These urban centers boast an array of prestigious institutions, each with its own unique collections that beckon visitors from around the globe. From the Tate in London to the Louvre in Paris, the art world's grandeur is on full display. Yet, for those who seek an unparalleled museum experience, New York City stands as a cultural colossus, with the Metropolitan Museum of Art reigning supreme.
Thomas Cole and Titans Goblet
American painter Thomas Cole is best known for his detailed depictions of the American countryside, depicted in accordance with the tenets of Romanticism and Naturalism. As a founder of the Hudson River School, Cole was instrumental in this development and depiction of the American landscape. However, not all landscapes depicted by Cole were based on actual existing locations.
The Vagabond Prince
In the early 20th century, Paris was the center of the Avant-Garde art scene. Here, masters like Picasso and Matisse were practicing their crafts at the leading edge of artistic developments.
