Is Van Gogh an art genius Or simply nuts?

Many of the world-renowned paintings can be identified as works of Vincent Van Gogh, the Nordic artist who may have led a life that startled the folks in the 1800s, but nevertheless became one of the icons of art up to the present. Aside from the muses, his religiosity, and artist friends, Van Gogh drew inspiration from the demons in his head and in his body to produce some of the most revered art pieces in history.

Are his masterpieces the makings of his twisted mentality?

Van Gogh was from a moneyed family, yet he felt the need to spread the word of his religion to the urban poor in his time. Though his family backed him up, the vocation didn’t seem to be his real calling. Van Gogh eventually turned to the arts after his brother Theo prompted him that there might be something to his drawings. Despite Van Gogh’s previous failures in the academe, he enrolled in the Royal Academy for the Arts to hone his talents.

His drawings and painting improved and attracted the attention of the international art world. However, some purport that his paintings were borne out of his mental illness.

Though Van Gogh was committed to a mental institution in the latter part of his years, the paintings were done in a unique style that spoke of the artist’s pioneering vision. Rumors of mental instability have often plagued Van Gogh since he was a young man, but medical and health issues stemming from or aggravated by his absinthe addiction, malnutrition, and sexually-transmitted disease have also been recognized in his letters.

Though none of these ailments or mental illnesses have been proven to have specifically influenced his style, his paintings today are a few of the most valued items in the world.

Why did critics cite his works as a masterpiece only after his death?

Controversy often goes on to hack true geniuses to death, as most heroes are recognized only after their passing. Van Gogh, while not considered a martyr for a cause, had a creative spark that needed to be recognized and acknowledged by others who dare to see the things the way that he did.

It was also around that time that expressionism amassed a following in the art world.

The controversies surrounding his lifestyle, mental health, and eventual death served to fan the flames of his unique artistic style and eventually influenced and inspired many artists across the globe for years to come.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*