Thread: Van Goghs ear.

Interesting bit I thought I would bring to your attention:
Found: the clue to van Gogh’s ear - Times Online

His is the art that I most connect with. Thanks for the link

I never really did get the 'why' of the somewhat obsessive push to study insane suicidal people. Just don't buy the 'genius' angle.

Originally Posted by ControlFreak1

I never really did get the 'why' of the somewhat obsessive push to study insane suicidal people. Just don't buy the 'genius' angle.

Oh, he was a genius alright. Viewing art in person often reveals subtleties uncommunicated through the modern media of photography of the work, but looking at van Gogh's paintings up close is a special treat indeed. I only think of his emotional state partially if I'm viewing a self portrait and then simply as painting are meant to reveal something of the sitter. Otherwise I see his mastery and expression and let the feelings take it from there..

If you're arguing that the old chestnut, "True genius is close to madness" is a crock of crap then I'm with you there.

Originally Posted by xman

Oh, he was a genius alright. Viewing art in person often reveals subtleties uncommunicated through the modern media of photography of the work, but looking at van Gogh's paintings up close is a special treat indeed.

Having looked at his work for many years on the pages of books the first time I saw the real thing at the Met I was floored. The difference between store bought and fresh baked bread. No other artist's work has grabbed me in the gut in the way that Vincent's has.

In the past I've read that one of the symptoms of his peculiar form of mental illness was auditory hallucinations. People suffering from this condition sometimes mutilate their ears in an attempt to kill the voices. Read his letters and you'll find he was a man who felt deeply and that may have led to his problems as much as it did to his artistic genius.

Originally Posted by JMS

Interesting bit I thought I would bring to your attention:

Interesting story. Thanks.

Here is something related. There are several versions of this powerpoint. This one is my favorite.

I showed it to my wife last year and she teared up. I asked her why and she said it was sad that such a beautiful person lived such a tragic life.

Speakers on. Hit spacebar to start. Click the fullscreen button.

Van Gogh

See more presentations by matlockjames | Upload your own PowerPoint presentations

Very interesting article. Thanks for sharing. I've been interested of this man for years, and more i read more interesting he gets. Thanks.

Thanks for this story about one of my favorite artists. I was lucky enough to see an exhibit of his works owned by the Van Goh family at the National Gallery some years ago. For those who'd like to know more about him, I recommend, Irving Stone's Lust for Life. It's a great read.

OK, so do I have to clear this up once and for all for you guys?


Vincent broke rule #1 of shaving with a straight-ALWAYS LOCK THE BATHROOM DOOR!

Obviously, he was doing some delicate ATG work way back behind the hook of his jaw, when in bursts Rachael "Hey, Hon, what's taking you so long in there?!.....", thereby bumping his elbow, and severing the ear.