There are many Van Gogh paintings that have become world famous paintings, but which are the best? This article will take a look at 8 of his most popular works.
Starry Night
There are many interpretations of Van Gogh's Starry Night. Some claim that the painting is a realistic depiction of the stars in June 1889. Others say the swirling lines have nothing to do with the Milky Way, spiral nebula, or Northern Lights. Still others say the swirls represent a personal Gethsemane, where Van Gogh discussed Jesus on Mount Olives. Others believe it was the artist's way of articulating a premonition of future suffering.
The artist's mental condition prompted him to paint the iconic painting. The artist was in a mental institution, recovering from his mental illness and an ear amputation. It's believed that Van Gogh painted “Starry Night” more than twenty times. The artist created different versions of the famous piece based on memories, imagination, and other paintings. Many sources believe the artist did not actually have a view of the night, so he was able to create the famous work while still in a state of mental illness.
The Starry Night was painted several times, but each rendition of the painting is unique. Some people have argued that the artist was suffering from lead poisoning, which may have influenced the colors he used. Other people believe that Van Gogh's whirling rings of light may have been a result of hallucinations or psychosis. However, no matter how you interpret this iconic painting, there are two major components that define it: bold lines and whirling rings of light. The painting features a series of spirals to create the night sky, sharp dashes to depict the village below, and long, organic lines to represent a giant cypress tree.
Almond Blossom
In honor of his new nephew, Vincent van Gogh painted Almond Blossom in 1890. His brother Theo wrote to him to announce the birth of his son. Since the two were close, Vincent loved to see the blossoms, and he was thrilled to paint them. The Almond Blossom fills the entire picture plane, resembling Japanese woodcuts. The vibrant color scheme is also a homage to the artist's favorite fruit: orange.
Flowers were among Van Gogh's favorite subjects, and Almond Blossom is no exception. This early spring painting is a representation of hope and revival, and the large branches against the blue sky emphasize this notion. In fact, Van Gogh's Almond Blossom borrows several techniques from Japanese printmaking, such as bold outlines and the position of the tree in the picture plane.
A child would have been a happy person, and the painting represents the child's first year. This painting was commissioned by the artist's brother Theo for the birth of his son. While his nephew never lived to enjoy it, he was nevertheless happy to see the blossoms in the early spring. A child's first year is an important time to celebrate new life, and Almond Blossom typifies this process.
Cafe Terrace
A few hundred years after Vincent van Gogh painted The Starry Night, a cafe terrace in Arles, France is the site of the famous cafe Terrace at Night. The starry background of the painting is one of three paintings by the artist that feature a nighttime sky. Van Gogh was inspired to paint this scene because he was drawn to religion, which filled the void left by love. In his letter to his sister, he states that the color of the night was “more beautiful and rich.”
While in Arles, Vincent van Gogh painted the Cafe Terrace at Night, a popular outdoor cafe in Arles. This work depicts the street scene and night sky as well as a group of outdoor tables. The Cafe Terrace at Night depicts a different cafe from the one shown in the letter, which is located in the Kroller-Muller Museum. The Cafe Terrace is one of Van Gogh's most popular works.
Starry Night over the Rhone
Although his Starry Night Over the Rhone is perhaps his most famous painting, the original is far less celebrated than his later rendition. The painting is included in the permanent collection at the Musee d'Orsay and captures the viewer's attention with its vivid colors and brushwork. It also portrays a tranquil subject matter, meant to mimic the nights in Arles. However, its popularity has caused its resurgence as a modern masterpiece.
While The Starry Night is the most famous of all his works, Starry Night Over the Rhone may have a romantic undertone. Many have suggested that the artist was trying to capture Beauty, the traditional goal of art. While there is no clear evidence to prove this, many have argued that the painting was inspired by his time spent at a mental asylum and by the view he had from his home.
While the title may suggest that the painting depicts a bright starry sky, the truth is that the artist had trouble with depression for years. Although most of his works have a dark undertone, letters to his sister describe his new home as a bouncy place, filled with high spirits and new inspiration for painting. Van Gogh was inspired to paint again, and his starry Night over the Rhone captures the magic of a starlit sky. This is one of his most famous paintings and it reveals that he sought refuge from the world's weight and darkness.
The Potato Eaters 1885
A new exhibition of Van Gogh's The Potato Eater shows how the artist conceived of the painting. He sketched out various preliminary ideas for the subject, including a cat that might have sat at the table. He abandoned the idea, however. In fact, this painting may have been inspired by a work by the Austrian artist Josef Israels. They both depict a family eating at a table, and they share a similar subject matter and composition.
Though The Potato Eaters may seem like a mistake to many, the artist considered it one of his most accomplished paintings. This painting embodied his hopes to break into the Parisian art market. While many people may be horrified by the savagery portrayed in this painting, it is worth seeing. The Potato Eaters is on display at the Van Gogh Museum until 13 February 2022.
Irises
The irises are one of the most expensive paintings by Vincent van Gogh, and for good reason. He studied their shapes and movements to produce a unique painting that captured the elusive beauty of irises. This painting was created during a difficult period in Van Gogh's life, but his passion for the subject made him channel it into an expression of his suffering through his work. Despite his troubled life, he managed to produce over 2,100 paintings during his lifetime, and 860 of them were oil paintings.
Van Gogh painted the Irises in 1889 in the garden of a mental hospital. He initially believed that the painting was causing him to go insane, and had feared it would cause him to commit suicide. As a result, he painted just one iris in white, despite the fact that he was suffering from a mental illness. He later added some red pigments to the painting, and eventually changed the iris' color to blue.
Wheatfields With Crows
Wheatfields With Crows, Van Goggh's most famous painting, depicts a windswept wheat field with wild skies above it. The painting's central path through the wheat doesn't seem to lead to anywhere in particular. This is a polar opposite of the traditional interpretation of crows as symbols of death. This painting is a powerful example of Van Gogh's masterful use of colour to convey his moods.
Many people have attempted to decipher the meaning of Van Gogh's Wheat Field with Crows, and have come up with a range of meanings. Some have tried to read the painting into its social and political context, but have ended up being disappointed. Van Gogh's work is a complex mix of subjects, and the artist's ability to depict the subject in such a way as to convey his thoughts has influenced many artists throughout history.
The famed Dutch painter's final painting, Wheatfields With Crows, is a masterpiece of visionary balance. The artist's memories of the north were reimagined in the painting, which is said to be his most famous and enduring work. The painting's small size and evocative imagery are often cited as reasons to appreciate it.
Bedroom in Arles
The Vincent van Gogh Bedroom in Arles was painted in 1888. The Dutch artist was bedridden for a few days. He painted three versions of this picture, each one slightly different from the other. These versions show how the artist tried to express himself and his mood during sleep. The van Gogh Bedroom is now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago. It is a fascinating piece of art that has fascinated art lovers for generations.
One of his most famous paintings, “Bedroom in Arles” is a work of art expressing a sense of well-being and security. The artist was bedridden for several days, but he painted three versions of the painting. Each version of the painting features a different color scheme. The van Gogh Bedroom in Arles was painted for the Musee d'Orsay in Paris, as well as for his family.
If you like Van Gogh paintings and can't afford the original, oil painting reproduction is a great choice.
