How are you?
On every Thursday, I am
introducing the stories about various artists and their paintings with the
title “Interesting Art Stories”.
The 14th story for this week is
"Self-portrait without beard" by a Dutch post-impressionist painter Vincent
van Gogh.
Vincent van Gogh
“Self-portrait
without beard” is an 1889 oil painting by the post-impressionist artist Vincent
van Gogh. The painting was sold in New York City, USA in 1998 for $71.5
million, making it one of the most expensive paintings of all time, which was
the third most expensive painting ever sold.
Also,
it is Van Gogh's last self-portrait and the only self-portrait depicting the
artist without beard, after which he focused on cypress trees and wheat fields.
Today Van Gogh is an artist with unprecedented respect worldwide. Although this
portrait is not as popular as Van Gogh's other works, such as “The Starry Night”,
“Starry night over the Rhone” or “Cafe Terrace at Night”, it is a work of great
value in the arts.
The Starry Night (1889)
Starry Night Over the Rhone (1888)
Cafe Terrace at Night (1888)
Van
Gogh painted this painting when he was suffering from personal difficulties
after the relationship with his fellow artist and close friend, Gauguin is over.
Van Gogh and Gauguin lived and painted together in Arles, but it was unfortunately
ended, and as a result, Van Gogh, who was already mentally vulnerable, was
devastated.
Self Portrait with the Idol, Paul Gauguin (1893)
Painting
after the relationship with Gauguin is over, this work looks very melancholy
and depressing. However, Van Gogh's gaze and light pink lips look like that he
is smiling a little as if he is happy to temporarily find the calmness in his
mind while suffering mentally.
In this
painting, Van Gogh looks helpless and his appearance without beard makes him
look younger and more like a boy, and it further emphasizes such helplessness.
In
addition, unlike other self-portraits of Van Gogh with intense colors, using
bright colors rather than intense colors in this painting further increases Van
Gogh's helplessness.
Moreover,
it seems as if Van Gogh found temporary tranquility and stability before he is
completely insane, like the eve of a storm.
Van
Gogh seems to appreciate this painting very much because he gave it to his mother
as her birthday present.
Currently,
this painting is owned by a private collector and is therefore unavailable for
public viewing.
Thank you.
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