Chu Qin's Site

written in retrospect for events on 3 Sept 07.

Disclaimer: the following is written by a art-illiterate dummy. The author is not responsible for any outcomes resulting from the use of the info below.

Today, has been a day of artistic exploration and as well as intellectual introspection. Visited the Van Gogh museum today, a museum featuring largest collection of Van Gogh's works - including the famous 'Sunflower' as well as many of his own self portraits.

First impression of Van Gogh's art works...hmmm...a bit baffled as to why this 'guy' is this renowned. His thick, disconnected brush strokes (http://www3.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?lang=nl) meant that his art works were rather coarse and unrefined. He wasnt as good as Rembrandt (whose art work i admired at the Rijksmuseum earlier) who's a master in depicting the effects of lighting (ie like, when u draw a face, imagine light shining from that back of that face and how u represent htat on the art work), Rembrandt was just brilliant at it (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Rembrandt-self-portrait-1628.jpg).

Nor was he as good as Belthasar Van et something (can't remmeber the full name), this guy is an absolute genius when painting insects - the precision and vividness of his drawings, it was as though the insects were real. Nor was he as impressive as Leon Lhermitte in the representing the lives/daily works of the peasants etc.etc.

I just didnt understand. in fact, some of his drawings of cottages by the countrysides - these were some of his earlier works, it just looked like some amateur painting (that's what i think anyway) which can be easily reproduced. (http://www3.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?page=1467&collection=619&lang=en)

Nevertheless, as i went around the museum, i read more about Mr. Van Gogh and the  anecdotes+philosophies behind the art works, as well as the process of how he taught himself from a novice to become a grandmaster in his own right. I became rather fond of his ideals and his perspective of life.

For example he favoured ' genuine expression over techincal perfection'  and 'loathed the conventional leanring of arts that does not derive from nature' .

You could see it in his work - 'the Potato eaters'  (http://www3.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?page=1303&collection=619&lang=en). Apparently, (i took this from the explanation given beside this artwork) if u look at the left hand corner, he drew the sides and back of the chair, whcih in real life, can't be seen together at the same time (honestly, i still dun understand what that means), but this basically illustrates some technical errors in the artwork. But if u look into the artwork. (in my opinion) The colour (dim and dark), the atmosphere (hot steam coming out of the potato), the people (coarse hands, prominent cheekbones, hard done faces) - it somewhat transports u to the scene itself, to view the harsh reality of peasant life. i find that pretty moving.

Van gogh's works are have symbolic meanings as well - For example, he drew the 'Still life with Bible' (http://www3.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?page=3450&collection=619&lang=en). The Bible represented his father (who was a priest), and there's book on the bottom right hand corner, which apparently is some modern book (at his time anyway) with some modern thinkings (sorry that i can't be more specific). And this represented his critism towards his father (well, he took a pregnant, unmarried prostitute named Sien Hoornik, and her young daughter into his household. So his father wasnt too please with him).

If you could see now, he is actually a guy with a rather forward thinking (considering that he lived in the 17th century). The things he did how he reacted to situations, u could somewhat relate to it in our modern day life.

My favourite van gogh piece is the 'Almond blossom' (http://www3.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?page=3128&lang=en). it was a gift from him to his brother Theo's new born son. I just like it. no particular reason.

Anyhow, my conclusion is. His works are touching and intriguing because there are stories behind it. Just like songs, if there are stories behind songs, they tend to be more close to heart and emotion.

I'm in the middle of creating my life story now. How bout u?