It’s not hard to recognize a tormented soul in this face: van Gogh after the infamous incident of cutting off his earlobe. The tortured, retired and introspective gaze leaves no doubt as to the state of mind of the subject.
|
Yet despite the surfacing inner pain, this countenance and the self-portrait as a whole communicate, and even impose, an infinite tranquility and peace of mind. We witness only the aftermath of the breakdown; the bandage has been applied, the medicine taken — the artist regained his faculties and was able to paint again. The price paid for this recuperation transpires from the eyes, but the quality of the “acquisition” is evident throughout: assured artistic skill that enabled this very painting. This unusual exchange raises many questions as to the relation between madness and creativity — questions that continue to fascinate civilization till this day.
|
Van Gogh possessed an unusual, distinctive physiognomy: he boasted a very high and broad forehead but a relatively small chin. While the former may imply a strong intellectual capacity, the latter, along with the chiseled, almost feminine lips, may betray emotional refinement, susceptibility to mood swings, or even hysteria. In a way, the imbalance of the physiognomy can be seen as a reflection of van Gogh’s personality. Eventually, the portrait demonstrates a similar mix of strengths and weaknesses, of artistic resilience and emotional fragility; it’s a technically confident and calm execution, which presents an emotionally broken man.
|
There is an interesting invention (perhaps an expressionistic streak): the green of the overcoat travels on to the eyes. Here the green color combines symbolic and literal meanings: generally signifying poison, it refers particularly to van Gogh’s preferred kind – absinthe, an alcoholic beverage known for its distinctive green hue.
The psychosomatic effects of absinthe became infamous since then, and today are sought for by artists who seek a boost of inspiration. Rightly or wrongly, van Gogh’s personal tragedy continues to influence artists in more ways than one.
*this article has been edited at a later date
Related posts:
Recent Comments