Wednesday 29 July 2015

Anniversary

Vincent Van Gogh died on this day 125 years ago, having survived an attempt to shoot himself, only to fall victim to an infection of the wound. His brother Theo (who is buried beside him) recorded his last words as 'The sadness will last for ever.' What seems to be lasting for ever is, rather, Vincent's posthumous artistic fame, which continues to grow and grow.

2 comments:

  1. Julian Barnes has written an interesting and thoughtful assessment of Van Gogh in the LRB.
    http://www.lrb.co.uk/v37/n15/julian-barnes/selfie-with-sunflowers

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  2. Thanks Toby. Van G is a tricky subject isn't he? The all-conquering popularity of Brand Vincent gets in the way of properly assessing - or even properly seeing - his art. A great, I think - just about - but for me he's definitely not up there with Degas and Cezanne...

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