With “The Potato Eaters” Van Gogh was reaching for a new authenticity, an appreciation of misshapen beauty that refused to romanticise its subjects
they know Vincent van Gogh until they see “The Potato Eaters” . Painted in the Netherlands in 1885, it is as far in tone as could be imagined from the blazing sunflowers of his later work in the south of France. Five members of a farming household huddle round the table, sharing a meal of potatoes and coffee. The mood is cramped, the colours mostly muted greens and browns. Outside the circle of lamplight the dark presses in.
It started with a deadline. Van Gogh’s brother Theo, an art dealer in Paris, wrote in February 1885 to ask whether he had anything for that year’s salon. Vincent was living in Brabant, in the southern Netherlands, drawing the local farmers. He had nothing suitable, but threw himself into the project. Van Gogh greatly admired Jean-François Millet’s depictions of rural life and was influenced by Jozef Israels, a Dutch painter of working-class scenes.
The Dutch have a genius for this sort of thing: celebrating the ordinary, often with a nose-thumbing defiance. You can look back from Van Gogh to the Old Masters, with their minute attention to cheese, pets and drinking games at the expense of gods and saints. This is what Pieter Bruegel displays in his “Landscape with the Fall of Icarus”: the farmer going about his ploughing, unperturbed by the tragedy.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
The viral 'demonic' Chihuahua has multiple Halloween costumes — see picsPrancer will sport five whimsical costumes to showcase his multifaceted personality and personal growth.
Leer más »
7 movies that will make you want to head into the wildernessIf the chaos of city life is getting to you, look to these movies -- including a Miyazaki masterpiece and 90s Brad Pitt -- for some serious escapism.
Leer más »
Holly Willoughby shares rare snap of her lookalike sister KellyITV star Holly Willoughby took to social media on Friday to show some love for her big sister Kelly Willoughby, as she continues to promote her new memoir
Leer más »
This Morning's Holly Willoughby showcases her curves in low-cut dress for long-awaited announcementHolly Willoughby gave fans an early morning pick-me-up by announcing a collaboration with jewellery designer Kirstie Le Marque while wearing a figure-hugging black dress
Leer más »
Watch The Kid Laroi Peform Hit Single 'Stay' on 'Kimmel'The Kid Laroi appeared on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' to showcase his hit single, 'Stay.'
Leer más »
Power Pick: Samsung's The Frame TV Is an Actual MasterpieceThe whole thing feels kind of like magic, which, as a Harry Potter fan, might be why I love it.
Leer más »