Analysis Of Van Gogh s Agony - 967 Words

Analysis of Van Gogh’s Agony In â€Å"Van Gogh’s Agony†, Lauren Soth proposes the argument that Starry Night by artist Vincent Van Gogh is more than just a landscape created from direct observation, but a nontraditional outlet for Van Gogh’s repressed religious beliefs that could not be expressed through traditional Christian imagery. However, Soth presents little convincing evidence from sources both primary and secondary to support this theory. Although some of the evidence may support his thesis, readers are quickly forced to doubt his knowledge. Throughout the paper, Soth presents information that contradicts the theories and information he provides, questions his own arguments, and is very quick to make conclusions and over analyze the artwork. Although Soth does provide a couple points that seem to work in supporting his thesis, these are overshadowed by the time spent focusing on trivial matters. Soth’s thesis in this paper is essentially that Starry Night is both Van Gogh’s representation of the biblical scene Agony in the Garden -- when Jesus prays to God after the Last Supper acknowledging his impending betrayal-- as well as Van Gogh’s physical agony and nostalgia. He argues that Van Gogh created the piece through a mixture of observation and imagination as a consolation piece for the artist to seek religion through means other than traditional Christian imagery. Carlo Dolci’s version of Agony in the Garden is referenced in particular (311). Soth’s physicalShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Van Gogh s Agony By Lauren Soth And Under The Starry Night By Denis J. Billy Essay2419 Words   |  10 Pagesof the most mysterious and thought-provoking images to date was painted in 1889 from a mental health institution in St. Remy, France by non-other than Vincent Van Gogh. The opulence of blues and yellows has the ability bring a viewer to its knees, mo stly in a subconscious manner that evokes a kind of spiritual quest, perhaps one that Van Gogh was on himself. The Starry Night is still heavily contemplated and its meaning is still relatively unknown and quite debated, as is the man himself. In anRead MoreVincent Willem Van Gogh And His Life2164 Words   |  9 PagesVincent Willem van Gogh (Dutch, 1853 – 1890) born in Holland, had a unique method of expressing himself on canvas. He was a post impressionist painter whose paintings portrayed emotionally evocative style through the use of bold colors and later swirling brush strokes. Throughout his life van Gogh worked on his art while battling mental instability which lead to his death in 1890 as a result of a fatal, possibly self inflicted gun shot. His most famous and respected paintings were completed in theRead MoreExpressionism Of Vincent Van Goghs The Starrry Night1505 Words   |  7 Pagesartist Vincent Van Gogh, remains engrained in the minds of many, as an expres sion of his tempestuous state of mind. Painted in June of 1899, the painting represents the symbolic, and highly personal meanings that proved to be particularly important to Post-Impressionist artists. This deeply distinctive, emotionally evocative style has continued to influence artists residing within twentieth century and up to the present day, promising Van Goghs prominence in the near future. Van Gogh’s expressionism