It's so sweet that his brother didn't abandon him or give up on him. Even today, many families sometimes give up on someone suffering from recurrent mental health episodes, as if it isn't even more exhausting for the person experiencing them.
I don't think there's a perfect answer to a situation like that. There's a reason they say to put your own oxygen mask on before helping others. You can't give anything if you have nothing left. Anyway, I have no solution to it. Some folks do it because they're selfish, just like the outliers in every group of people. But I don't think it's necessarily wrong to take a step back for your own welfare, especially if the other person is in any way abusive.
@@veryberry39 Exactly. People who have not experienced a family member who is mentally ill are very quick to judge the relatives. Let me tell you, my daughter is bipolar & getting worse. The family is essentially avoiding her. She has assaulted me. Slept with with my brother in law, took money from him, & then told my sister she slept with him. My sister about had a breakdown. My other daughter became pregnant & she told her she hoped her baby died. She got drunk & killed her pets. She refuses commitment & rehab. Refuses her meds, but will abuse her benzodiazepines. I have tried without success to have her committed. She will throw fits & bust holes in the walls of her house, yours, & anybody else’s. She is now drinking & huffing computer duster spray. She is very verbally abusive with family, friends, her husband, & the check out lady at Walmart. Threaten suicide when she doesn’t get her way. Cuts herself. Uses the filthiest language. Sorry, but just because you share DNA with a person doesn’t mean you got to take them into your home & baby them. I have had years of this shit. She is mean just plain mean. These judgmental people who have not dealt with the insane need to move her into their home.
Johanna is such a loyal and loving soul. Apart from working hard to fulfill Theo's wish of recognition for his brother, she even requested her husband's remains to be reburied next to Vincent's so they can "lie together eternally." I'm not crying.
It's not a copy. He's in it and looking at the viewer. I feel very strongly that this is his way of trying to communicate how he feels. Not just trapped in the institution, but also in the cycle of mental illness. As someone with bipolar disorder, it feels like a plea for others to understand what can be so incredibly difficult to explain. The butterflies are hope.
So much this. He chose to copy it because it spoke to him. He's looking at us, almost defiant in his misery, as if to say "Now do you understand? This is what it's like". I have bipolar too and the moment it came on the screen, I thought "Holy cow that's exactly it". I looked up the painting and I noticed a key change Van Gogh made over Dore's engraving. In the engraving, the guard's face is clearly detailed. In Van Gogh's painting though, it's a faceless gray-blue - a darker shade of the blue he used as the highlight color on his own hand. In fact, with the guard, you can see there's a brighter flesh tone underneath, as if he started to give him a face, but then changed his mind and plopped that blue on. With his hand, the blue makes him almost look like a zombie. Maybe he just hated a guard at the asylum, lol. Maybe he was cold all the time and used the blue to show that. But now I wonder if he's tying the two together - a faceless guard (mental illness) that won't release him from the constant circle he walks, a formless entity that sucks all the life and warmth out of him.
@lunacouer I noticed that right away as well. But to me, it looks like the guard has a veil over his face. Which would also have multiple interpretations. I really appreciate you understanding exactly what I meant, and even stating it a little better.
@@ankylosaruswrecks3189 I can totally see that, that it's a veil. That does add some other meanings, like maybe the ones "in charge" can't see it, either those that guarded him throughout life, or what the asylum does to their patients? I appreciate you too. It's a relief.
Interesting interpretation, and I appreciate how this work and Van Gogh’s life resonate with you personally. As someone with treatment resistant depression, I get the temptation to see this painting as wholly original rather than a copy, especially given Van Gogh’s own mental and emotional struggles. I do want to point out, though, that the original by Dore also has the same prisoner without a hat in the same position among the other prisoners, with the same expression, face turned toward turned to the viewer (though neither Van Gogh nor Dore actually has the prisoner looking at the viewer, as the eyes are not visible and appear to be downcast or closed). Dore’s image even includes the “butterflies” in the same position, though actually as rendered by Dore they seem more like doves than butterflies, and could as easily be doves in Van Gogh’s version as well, since they are not given enough detail to be definitively one or the other. Except for the coloration and stylistic choices, though, the painting is an extremely faithful rendering of the original Dore work - even the window placement is the exact same. Van Gogh’s style is definitely his own and amplifies the emotional heft of Dore’s original, but it is still a definite copy. This does not take away from the autobiographical nature of the painting: Van Gogh chose to copy this work because it resonated with him. He may well have felt a kinship with the central prisoner in Dore’s work, and maybe he showed this in his choice to make this prisoner’s hair red (it could be blonde or red in Dore’s, as it is a black and white drawing, but it is obvious that the prisoner in the original has fair hair). He brings emotion into the work through his choice of almost damp-looking, cold, sickly colors. Whereas Dore’s floorboards were evenly spaced with lateral texture throughout, Van Gogh chose to alternate the textures on the floor boards and make the boards themselves join at odd angles, which makes the image feel more disorganized and askew. There’s a depth of despair in Van Gogh’s version that certainly spoke of his own pain. It is possible to consider this both a direct copy of Dore’s original, as well as a personal and deeply felt portrait of the artist’s anguish.
Right, I agree. It’s not a copy, but a transformation. He has used the original painting as a starting place, and added his personal style and tone, as well as his own meaning and inspirations from his life into the piece. To me, a “copy” is a reproduction. An attempt to take a piece from someone else without really adding to it. This is his own piece. I am an artist myself, (although I would never compare myself to Van Gogh!) and I have done this before. There is a balance that must be achieved, and things must be changed enough to show that you drew inspiration from the original, while still adding enough of your own style and transformations to make it your own. He has certainly struck that balance in my opinion. I also have bipolar disorder, and I find your comment very poignant. Sorry for the super long reply to your comment 😅
Not gonna lie even though I knew of the story before, there is something so comforting about Vincent's brother/sister-in-law to support him even till the very end and beyond.That sort of support is so rare even nowadays, and I'm glad that it was the folks around who drove him to fame and not some wealthy financier.
I stood before Prisoners Round at an exhibition in Quebec City in 1986. It was staggeringly powerful. But here's the thing. It was moving. I swear it came alive as I gazed...
I bought The Starry Night digital copy to display on my Samsung Frame TV, and as I sit there staring at it every now and then, that's what I start noticing too, like the paint is fluid and moving. Such beautiful circular strokes.
0:40 I love how everyone just forgets that Van Gogh has no idea how famous or celebrated he is. He died broke and completely unknown. I really wish we didn't have a tendency to only appreciate an artist after it's too late for them to know how loved they are.
Prisoners round speaks of subtle defiance as well. All the other prisoners are bowed and head covered. The blonde is bareheaded and almost upright. An attempt to be different and not to give in fully to oppression perhaps. I enjoyed your study. Thanks.
Vincent's mental health problems started from the moment he was born. He shared a birthday with his brother who was stillborn exactly one year before and who also was named Vincent. He was told constantly told that he had to live his brother's life for him. I can only imagine the pressure he felt living up the expectations his parents had of their dead baby.
This also happened to the son of an uruguayan painter in the 1800, ( Blanes) also a painter, he had psychological issues with supplanting his brother too. His end is a mistery, disappeared in Europe.
Thank you for making art analysis so accessible! I adore your channel and what you are doing! so happy you included Jo's story and her role in Vincent's success!
That's a good word for it - accessible. She does such a good job of breaking down these pieces with humor and genuine interest, it's impossible not to catch the same contagious enthusiasm she has for fine art.
The vibrant colors and the rotating movement of the brush strokes draw you directly into the painting. It's like being able to look inside the artist's head and experience his inner world,
I've seen this painting twice. The first time was at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam during the Centennial celebration. The second time was in Los Angeles. The painting was displayed in a smaller room, all by itself. The painting is so powerful and it felt like the painting itself sucked the life out of anyone who entered the room. Very powerful and eerie.
Thank you, Jo Van Gogh! I have also struggled with mental health issues and bouts of suicidal ideation. I knew that Vincent Van Gogh had experienced similar struggles, but I didn't know exactly how extreme it was, let alone how devoted his brother was and how his loss devastated him. I only learned the story in more detail in the last few years, long after I had gotten the help I needed. I live with my own brother who is one of my biggest emotional cheerleaders, and learning about Vincent and Theo hit me where I live. Mental illness really does feel like a prison with a clear way out that you can't quite make it to, like the butterflies suggest. I used to feel like I would be of more use to my whole family if I were dead and out of the way. Learning Van Gogh's story made me glad all over again that I found the strength to keep living, even when I was certain it was pointless. Emotional and mental issues have been the basis for humanity's most treasured art, but it's only an outlet for the artist to pour out their great pain in ways that words can't fulfill. The tortured artist is not a glamorous lifestyle. It is LITERALLY torture, and anyone experiencing this anguish deserves the help and love that Van Gogh was lucky enough to have in his life. If you aren't well, please seek help. If your family or friends aren't supporting you in that search, get new ones, or at least get away from the ones you have. Your happiness is worth all the beautiful art in the world.
Not just a physical, but a mental captivity. As someone who suffers from nearly life-long depression; I've never gone mad and cut my own ear off though! So... I have that going for me lol. Vincent's art has always spoken to me on such a deep level that it's hard to explain, but I will attempt it. "Prisoners’ Round" feels like art I would keep, just for me and those who also understand depression; It's a visual representation of feelings that have no other words to convey. "The Stary Night" feels like the hopes and dreams I have of better days. "Sunflowers" (the whole collection, really) feels like the future I strive for; a sense of brightness and comfort, yet imperfect and natural.
One of your best, truly. I recall reading "Dear Theo" as a preteen as I became more and more interested in Vincent's work, and the humanity conveyed in those letters between the brothers is so often lost or simply overlooked in the telling of his story. And yet, that bond was unquestionably a critical impetus behind it all. Thanks for giving his own personal story, and not just his art, the recognition it deserves.
Long time follower, first time commenter. Love your channel! I used to be an art teacher, and from what I've learnt and taught, all art is in some way a copy of someone elses. You immitate and enhance what you like, and that is the learning process. It becomes especially apparent when you study church art 🙂
Thank you for following the channel. I'm so glad you enjoy it. I love your take! In the case of Prisoners' Round, it feels to me like we're getting a peak into what Vincent saw and experienced when looking at Doré's etching (hopefully that makes sense haha). Very powerful stuff!
Interesting to hear that it was the sister-in-law who got his work out there, and recognized, not the brother. I noticed something you didn't mention, though...the red-haired convict's feet were totally out of line with the others'. Out of step. Disconnected... so yes, I think that he did paint himself into this one... and it doesn't matter if there's a similar painting from someone else, I think this one really came from within. It's in the details.
Oh goodness I love you so much how do I tell you how educational your channel is before you I always hated paintings and art because I couldn't understand but you are such a game changer in my life . Now I love art so much
@@Art_Deco I've been following your work for some time now and wonder if you accept requests? Perseus and Andromeda, Frederic Leighton 1891. My favourite art gallery is The Walker in Liverpool.
I have mental illness, and it has taken me a very long time to accept that. But some of his paintings resonated with me. I constantly see swirling grey mists, day and night. I don't leave my home any longer. Poetry is my forte art brings me solice in my own prison. I'm lucky to be alive.
“While Vincent van Gogh was never in prison, his work "Prisoners exercising," was painted during his stay at an asylum in Saint-R my de Provence in 1890.”
My wife and I and my 11yp son went to the " Van Gogh experience". It was really cool but intimately sad after hearing his entire life story. He never really LOVED his own art work so to speak. I just imagine what he would think of how it's all praised and studied, celebrated today.
I was so happy to see another video from you pop up. I was fortunate enough to be able to visit the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam and I loved every minute of it. It's obvious that you do so much research for the videos and the education you provide is excellent. I also love the Terry Gilliam-style animation you throw in there too.😁
after watching two movies inspired by vincent's l ife and this one, theo's wife really moved me to tears. she's so supportive of theo and vincent that even after the two brother's death and she could just actually focus on being a single mother to her kid, she continued what her husband desires for the rest of her life. truly remarkable. such a green flag. imagine feeling so hopeless in life and realizing that all your efforts would be in vain but there is this actual someone who wishes for your best even after your death. truly trulyy touching. im sobbing rn.
Wow this was such an interesting look at his life! I know a lot of his paintings but not a lot of his life and I really love the way you bring the stories behind the art alive and the people in them. I had no idea how supportive his brother and Jo were and how Jo was instrumental to his success or that they named their baby after him. Like seemed like he was really well-loved, a shame he suffered so much mentally
I love the way you educate us in art, the humor gets me everytime,. It makes it so fun to learn more about these interesting paintings and their creators. Thank you and looking forward to the next one!
While not his most famous work, this painting was referenced by Stanley Kubrick for one of the prison scenes in “A Clockwork Orange.” That was how I became aware of it.
Great video. There's a theory about VVG and the ear incident which is honestly one of the saddest things I've ever read: the theory goes that Paul Gaugin was not Vincent's friend or artistic peer, but his lover, and that the night they quarreled when Vincent supposedly self harmed, what actually happened was that they got into a physical altercation. Gaugin lashed out with a kn*fe and VG lost part of his ear. Vincent never told anyone the truth, to protect his beloved. But Gaugin could never bring himself to speak to Vincent again, whether from disgust at his own hidden orientation or shame at what he had done. Hence Vincent's continuous return to the theme of loneliness in his paintings thereafter. I don't doubt he had mental struggles; this theory just suggests that they weren't all entirely inward, but may have had some external/ relational trigger as well.
I love ur videos and voice so much. The way you explained everything makes me even more interested in art and painting ♥️♥️. These videos are like comfort to me. I don't usually comment but this time I had to since I have been watching ur videos for so long.
Thank you for showing me details about the painting that I missed, and giving context about his life at the time, which I never would have known on my own. I ascribe to the theory that it was actually Gauguin who cut off Vincent's ear, as Gauguin was known to get drunk and wave his sword around. Also, evidence makes it more like Vincent was murdered by René Secrétan, a teenage idiot playing with a gun, and that Vincent told the doctor to put it down as suicide so as to spare the teenager a murder trial, etc. You can google plenty of articles about it.
This is a great description of Vincent’s life. I think he felt trapped like the prisoners. I understand that somewhat, I had problems in my early adulthood. People don’t realize what it’s like being a prisoner of your own mind.😢
As someone who went a long time not appreciating art like it's meant to be, I'm so excited when you upload and give me a new painting to love!! Have you considered covering The Death of Marat? It's one of my favorites; it's so chilling to look at, and for me it's definitely the peak representation of the French Revolution (even better that it's contemporary). It perfectly captures all the political chaos, senseless violence, and the emptiness of it all in one single strange event.
Oh, that's my favourite Van Gogh's painting. I saw it at the museum in Moscow and I couldn't even take my eyes off. I'm not a big fan of Van Gogh's works (it's just not my cup of tea) but it's amazing.
Theo naming his son after his brother and Vincent's sentiment on that is so touching and amazing. This is coming from someone who admires their brothers artistic merit tho so its biased. Life is a whirlwind that's why we all love Van Gogh and I personally am thankful for his brother for giving him a legacy. 😭😭😭 To me, the guards watch the prisoners circle as an oroborous, while some wish to break the cycle others are ashamed and following in line. The circle made by the prisoners is the only thing that is representative of Van Gogh's swirling unique style while the rest is hatched linear representing conformity.
Your videos are so fun!!! I've been binging for days! Haha Please make a video about, The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke. I've been curious since I heard Queen's song of the same name. Freddie Mercury was apparently fascinated with it to write an entire song describing every detail. Love it!
I enjoy whenever you make a video about van Gogh, as well as others' videos about him and his art. His style could be considered objectively ugly, and yet so many of his pieces are so beautiful simply because of his own humanity that he put into them. Being able to see desires, hopes and agonies expressed in art can be so rare, even back then, but it enraptures the mind and the heart whenever someone finally accomplishes this.
A series of mini masterpieces, each one meticulously researched and presented. I always look forward to a new delight from you every couple of weeks. I don’t know if anyone has mentioned the hypnotic ASMR quality of your presentations either? I feel that your videos have not yet been fully recognised and deserve to achieve classic status in due course. Thank you Charlotte and all good wishes from London UK.
Vincent is by far my favorite artist. Almond blossom graces my planner and a corresponding journal, as well as several other notebooks and phone cases.
For as tragic as Vincent's life was, it always makes me at least a little happier hearing about his relationship with Theo and Jo. Despite everything, there was clearly so much love in their family.
The story about Vincent's brother and sister-in-law supporting his work is a hard punch to the feels. That he spent time as a missionary, and chose to live in the same squalor as those he attentded tells me he was indeed close to God, whether or not the hypocritical Church says otherwise.
I absolutely love your Channel. I love the way that you use humor as well as historical facts. Van Gogh is one of my favorite artists second only to Dalí.
Vincent transcends the original with his copy's brilliant groundbreaking technique. I so respect your devotion to his art, as it increases my own appreciation. Thanks much, Art Deco!
I simply love your meticulous observation throughout the detailings and essence of the painting! Painting needs emotion; and you delve deep onto decoding 'what's going on at the very base of the artist's mind' upon completing these masterpieces. That's brilliant. Your hypothesis is greatly plausable
I love those videos! I have never noticed the meaning or depth of the painting I have seen before. Only how they make me feel. It is so marvelous to have somebody to point out the details, meaning, and history behind it! And in such a pleasant voice too! Thank you!
I have never seen this painting before, but looking at it feels like a sucker punch to the stomach. That is what it feels like to be in so much pain it renders you helpless. Thank you for your wonderful content. I am learning so much!
Thank you so much for your channel! I was never interested in art very much, but after one of your videos showed up in my recommended, I've loved watching your channel and even decided to take an art history class.
Superb. Thank you for this thorough study. You make a wonderful art study and analysis. Thank you so much all who participated to make these superb art analysis.
I prefer your more recent styles of essays. They're more entertaining and interesting than the more serious, traditional essay style from more than a year ago. My partner and I say "Yeah" to each other the same way that guy does in the painting and we even try to make the same face when we say it
Van Gogh is 1 one my favorites. His works inspired some of my very own oil paintings. I love showing my brushstrokes and using them to show movement and feeling. ❤ Impressionists at my favorites.
There's this amazing immersive experience/art exhibition on Vincent Van Gogh which I would highly recommend, the VR was honestly breathtaking. Its called "Van Gogh: The Immerive Experience" worth every penny. I went to the one in London, but I think you can find this in some city's across Europe also.
Quite common for musicians to give their own interpretation of a piece. For better or worse, it becomes their variation on a theme. Example - Disturbed's version of Simon and Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence". Perhaps more extreme, Beethoven's use of bird calls in many of his masterpieces. Not a copy, but a variation or interpretation.
I definitely loved this video ❤ Thanks so much for making it 😌 You genuinely work so hard and it all pays off 😊 Love your videos, for some reason they bring comfort to me 😅😊 Thanks for your efforts 🙂
I have seen this painting at LACMA and was completely taken aback. It’s a small yet powerful painting. I’d not seen it anywhere until then - not even in books about Van Gogh. . . until now. NICE!
I never liked VvG's art! It "bothered" me. You have changed my mind! Now i "get" WHY it bothers me. And I see/feel the beauy. Understanding the "times" and the artist, himself - all of it is done so well. Your sincerity and passion along with the education - make your channel delightful.
Van Gogh the artist is more complicated to love than the paintings, and many people who love him in passing don't understand at all that there's a whole face of his work that, because it's not as loved doesn't get associated with him as much. His painting are as much as he saw as how he felt at the time or felt about them. There are shining stars and sunflowers, rich irises and saturated, joyous landscapes with peaceful-looking working people in them. There are also less idealized peasants depicted "The Potato Eaters" group of paintings who are brown and mucky and a little like friendly goblins in their weird proportions, which is odd, given how pure he felt peasant life was. And there is nature painted with grey skies, and ominous crows that does not feel like it's headed for heaven one bit. And self-portraits cover both a sort of earnest peacefulness and moral uprightness and a suffering self. We can esteem his art and still suggest that the neighbors who wanted him out of the neighborhood might have had good reason in his behavior, although their fear-mongering about his red hair does suggest their was some bigoted bias going on, as there usually is with vagrants causing public discomfort. What the best context would have been for him to live in, and whether he was really someone we would want to know outside his paintings should be talked about more. It's the same conversation we have about a lot of painters, but what makes him notable among them is the degree of doubt surrounding how much responsibility he bears for sometimes being a difficult and dangerous person, given that mental health problems and poverty kept him trapped and always reacting.
When you talk about tragic figures and tragic paintings, there's no more tragic, tortured figure in art than Vincent: a genius, who could not see his genius, yet at some level, he knew that doing a painting for the birth of his nephew would still be a suitable gift. At some level, I think that even if his paintings had found even a portion of the fame they later achieved, Vincent would still have been dissatisfied. And there's another thing - I think that Van Gogh's belief system would have been offended by the fact that the Wealthy spend literally hundreds of millions of dollars to own one of his paintings, while ignoring the pain and misery they see all around them... Thank you for the video...
When I was in 7th grade, I was in art class and wrote that Vincent was my most favorite artist of all time. I was laughed out of class since he was mentally ill! Philistines is what I went to school with.
When somebody has “ it hits different “ in the title , my level of respect goes down 75% immediately. And is Van Gogh the only artist these children know these days? Are they all fascinated because he was mentally unstable and they all believe he reflects them? There is so much art in the world that is just as fascinating. If not more.
I love your videos, they're what got me interested in paintings, art history and analysis. Please consider making a video about "The Garden Of Earthly Delights" by Hyeronimoys Bosch
@@Art_Deco In that same vein is the famous painting by Peter Breugel called Proverbs. I just completed a 1500 piece puzzle of that painting which is three feet wide. It is fascinating piece of work because of the detail.
As an artist, a copy can become an interpretation and this is such, filled with his own experiences and feelings. It can be both about his own feelings and his connection to those who are actual prisoners. It's Humanism at its best in art.
It's so sweet that his brother didn't abandon him or give up on him. Even today, many families sometimes give up on someone suffering from recurrent mental health episodes, as if it isn't even more exhausting for the person experiencing them.
Exactly, quite unusual considering the times they were living in
It speaks volumes about what a wonderful person he was that he had so many friends and his brother and his wife named their child after him.
I don't think there's a perfect answer to a situation like that. There's a reason they say to put your own oxygen mask on before helping others. You can't give anything if you have nothing left. Anyway, I have no solution to it. Some folks do it because they're selfish, just like the outliers in every group of people. But I don't think it's necessarily wrong to take a step back for your own welfare, especially if the other person is in any way abusive.
Fuk, these days families CAUSE recurrent mental health episodes.
@@veryberry39 Exactly. People who have not experienced a family member who is mentally ill are very quick to judge the relatives. Let me tell you, my daughter is bipolar & getting worse. The family is essentially avoiding her. She has assaulted me. Slept with with my brother in law, took money from him, & then told my sister she slept with him. My sister about had a breakdown. My other daughter became pregnant & she told her she hoped her baby died. She got drunk & killed her pets. She refuses commitment & rehab. Refuses her meds, but will abuse her benzodiazepines. I have tried without success to have her committed. She will throw fits & bust holes in the walls of her house, yours, & anybody else’s. She is now drinking & huffing computer duster spray. She is very verbally abusive with family, friends, her husband, & the check out lady at Walmart. Threaten suicide when she doesn’t get her way. Cuts herself. Uses the filthiest language. Sorry, but just because you share DNA with a person doesn’t mean you got to take them into your home & baby them. I have had years of this shit. She is mean just plain mean. These judgmental people who have not dealt with the insane need to move her into their home.
Johanna is such a loyal and loving soul. Apart from working hard to fulfill Theo's wish of recognition for his brother, she even requested her husband's remains to be reburied next to Vincent's so they can "lie together eternally." I'm not crying.
now thats love
True sisterly love sees through all boundaries ❤
I never knew Theo’s wife made Vincent a celebrated artist! That is amazing
It's not a copy. He's in it and looking at the viewer. I feel very strongly that this is his way of trying to communicate how he feels. Not just trapped in the institution, but also in the cycle of mental illness. As someone with bipolar disorder, it feels like a plea for others to understand what can be so incredibly difficult to explain. The butterflies are hope.
So much this. He chose to copy it because it spoke to him. He's looking at us, almost defiant in his misery, as if to say "Now do you understand? This is what it's like". I have bipolar too and the moment it came on the screen, I thought "Holy cow that's exactly it".
I looked up the painting and I noticed a key change Van Gogh made over Dore's engraving. In the engraving, the guard's face is clearly detailed. In Van Gogh's painting though, it's a faceless gray-blue - a darker shade of the blue he used as the highlight color on his own hand. In fact, with the guard, you can see there's a brighter flesh tone underneath, as if he started to give him a face, but then changed his mind and plopped that blue on. With his hand, the blue makes him almost look like a zombie.
Maybe he just hated a guard at the asylum, lol. Maybe he was cold all the time and used the blue to show that. But now I wonder if he's tying the two together - a faceless guard (mental illness) that won't release him from the constant circle he walks, a formless entity that sucks all the life and warmth out of him.
@lunacouer I noticed that right away as well. But to me, it looks like the guard has a veil over his face. Which would also have multiple interpretations.
I really appreciate you understanding exactly what I meant, and even stating it a little better.
@@ankylosaruswrecks3189 I can totally see that, that it's a veil. That does add some other meanings, like maybe the ones "in charge" can't see it, either those that guarded him throughout life, or what the asylum does to their patients?
I appreciate you too. It's a relief.
Interesting interpretation, and I appreciate how this work and Van Gogh’s life resonate with you personally. As someone with treatment resistant depression, I get the temptation to see this painting as wholly original rather than a copy, especially given Van Gogh’s own mental and emotional struggles. I do want to point out, though, that the original by Dore also has the same prisoner without a hat in the same position among the other prisoners, with the same expression, face turned toward turned to the viewer (though neither Van Gogh nor Dore actually has the prisoner looking at the viewer, as the eyes are not visible and appear to be downcast or closed). Dore’s image even includes the “butterflies” in the same position, though actually as rendered by Dore they seem more like doves than butterflies, and could as easily be doves in Van Gogh’s version as well, since they are not given enough detail to be definitively one or the other. Except for the coloration and stylistic choices, though, the painting is an extremely faithful rendering of the original Dore work - even the window placement is the exact same. Van Gogh’s style is definitely his own and amplifies the emotional heft of Dore’s original, but it is still a definite copy. This does not take away from the autobiographical nature of the painting: Van Gogh chose to copy this work because it resonated with him. He may well have felt a kinship with the central prisoner in Dore’s work, and maybe he showed this in his choice to make this prisoner’s hair red (it could be blonde or red in Dore’s, as it is a black and white drawing, but it is obvious that the prisoner in the original has fair hair). He brings emotion into the work through his choice of almost damp-looking, cold, sickly colors. Whereas Dore’s floorboards were evenly spaced with lateral texture throughout, Van Gogh chose to alternate the textures on the floor boards and make the boards themselves join at odd angles, which makes the image feel more disorganized and askew. There’s a depth of despair in Van Gogh’s version that certainly spoke of his own pain. It is possible to consider this both a direct copy of Dore’s original, as well as a personal and deeply felt portrait of the artist’s anguish.
Right, I agree. It’s not a copy, but a transformation. He has used the original painting as a starting place, and added his personal style and tone, as well as his own meaning and inspirations from his life into the piece.
To me, a “copy” is a reproduction. An attempt to take a piece from someone else without really adding to it. This is his own piece.
I am an artist myself, (although I would never compare myself to Van Gogh!) and I have done this before. There is a balance that must be achieved, and things must be changed enough to show that you drew inspiration from the original, while still adding enough of your own style and transformations to make it your own. He has certainly struck that balance in my opinion.
I also have bipolar disorder, and I find your comment very poignant. Sorry for the super long reply to your comment 😅
Not gonna lie even though I knew of the story before, there is something so comforting about Vincent's brother/sister-in-law to support him even till the very end and beyond.That sort of support is so rare even nowadays, and I'm glad that it was the folks around who drove him to fame and not some wealthy financier.
I stood before Prisoners Round at an exhibition in Quebec City in 1986. It was staggeringly powerful. But here's the thing. It was moving. I swear it came alive as I gazed...
I bought The Starry Night digital copy to display on my Samsung Frame TV, and as I sit there staring at it every now and then, that's what I start noticing too, like the paint is fluid and moving. Such beautiful circular strokes.
That makes me think of the incredible film "Loving Vincent." It's a masterpiece in its own right.
0:40 I love how everyone just forgets that Van Gogh has no idea how famous or celebrated he is. He died broke and completely unknown. I really wish we didn't have a tendency to only appreciate an artist after it's too late for them to know how loved they are.
Prisoners round speaks of subtle defiance as well. All the other prisoners are bowed and head covered. The blonde is bareheaded and almost upright. An attempt to be different and not to give in fully to oppression perhaps.
I enjoyed your study. Thanks.
Vincent's mental health problems started from the moment he was born. He shared a birthday with his brother who was stillborn exactly one year before and who also was named Vincent. He was told constantly told that he had to live his brother's life for him. I can only imagine the pressure he felt living up the expectations his parents had of their dead baby.
I guess this is why he didn’t want his nephew named after him…that’s really sad…
This also happened to the son of an uruguayan painter in the 1800, ( Blanes) also a painter, he had psychological issues with supplanting his brother too. His end is a mistery, disappeared in Europe.
I love Van Gogh man
Me too
Thank you for making art analysis so accessible! I adore your channel and what you are doing! so happy you included Jo's story and her role in Vincent's success!
That's a good word for it - accessible. She does such a good job of breaking down these pieces with humor and genuine interest, it's impossible not to catch the same contagious enthusiasm she has for fine art.
Absolutely. Couldn't have put it better myself.
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I didn't know about Johanna! What an amazing woman she was! And how much love she and Theo had for Vincent! This is amazing.
Thank you for some details about Johanna. As is typical, her immense part in this story is often overlooked.
The vibrant colors and the rotating movement of the brush strokes draw you directly into the painting. It's like being able to look inside the artist's head and experience his inner world,
Yes! I completely agree!
I can't believe how many things I learned about Van Gogh ... and I thought I had a pretty good knowledge of his life. Thank you!
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
I've seen this painting twice. The first time was at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam during the Centennial celebration. The second time was in Los Angeles. The painting was displayed in a smaller room, all by itself. The painting is so powerful and it felt like the painting itself sucked the life out of anyone who entered the room. Very powerful and eerie.
That poor tormeted man was to me the greatest painter that ever lived.
Thank you, Jo Van Gogh!
I have also struggled with mental health issues and bouts of suicidal ideation. I knew that Vincent Van Gogh had experienced similar struggles, but I didn't know exactly how extreme it was, let alone how devoted his brother was and how his loss devastated him. I only learned the story in more detail in the last few years, long after I had gotten the help I needed. I live with my own brother who is one of my biggest emotional cheerleaders, and learning about Vincent and Theo hit me where I live. Mental illness really does feel like a prison with a clear way out that you can't quite make it to, like the butterflies suggest. I used to feel like I would be of more use to my whole family if I were dead and out of the way. Learning Van Gogh's story made me glad all over again that I found the strength to keep living, even when I was certain it was pointless.
Emotional and mental issues have been the basis for humanity's most treasured art, but it's only an outlet for the artist to pour out their great pain in ways that words can't fulfill. The tortured artist is not a glamorous lifestyle. It is LITERALLY torture, and anyone experiencing this anguish deserves the help and love that Van Gogh was lucky enough to have in his life. If you aren't well, please seek help. If your family or friends aren't supporting you in that search, get new ones, or at least get away from the ones you have. Your happiness is worth all the beautiful art in the world.
It’s the color theory for me. I love the colors, whether vibrant blues or nauseating greens.
Not just a physical, but a mental captivity. As someone who suffers from nearly life-long depression; I've never gone mad and cut my own ear off though! So... I have that going for me lol.
Vincent's art has always spoken to me on such a deep level that it's hard to explain, but I will attempt it. "Prisoners’ Round" feels like art I would keep, just for me and those who also understand depression; It's a visual representation of feelings that have no other words to convey. "The Stary Night" feels like the hopes and dreams I have of better days. "Sunflowers" (the whole collection, really) feels like the future I strive for; a sense of brightness and comfort, yet imperfect and natural.
There are two geniuses in the story of Vincent’s art: Vincent himself and his sister-in-law, Jo.
One of your best, truly. I recall reading "Dear Theo" as a preteen as I became more and more interested in Vincent's work, and the humanity conveyed in those letters between the brothers is so often lost or simply overlooked in the telling of his story. And yet, that bond was unquestionably a critical impetus behind it all. Thanks for giving his own personal story, and not just his art, the recognition it deserves.
Long time follower, first time commenter. Love your channel! I used to be an art teacher, and from what I've learnt and taught, all art is in some way a copy of someone elses. You immitate and enhance what you like, and that is the learning process. It becomes especially apparent when you study church art 🙂
Thank you for following the channel. I'm so glad you enjoy it. I love your take! In the case of Prisoners' Round, it feels to me like we're getting a peak into what Vincent saw and experienced when looking at Doré's etching (hopefully that makes sense haha). Very powerful stuff!
@@Art_Deco I fully agree, he manages to put so much feeling into that painting, which is why he made it his.
Interesting to hear that it was the sister-in-law who got his work out there, and recognized, not the brother. I noticed something you didn't mention, though...the red-haired convict's feet were totally out of line with the others'. Out of step. Disconnected... so yes, I think that he did paint himself into this one... and it doesn't matter if there's a similar painting from someone else, I think this one really came from within. It's in the details.
I know absolutely nothing about art but to me his work is just beautiful - so evocative. Thank you Vincent
Starry night has always been my favorite painting of all time.
The thing about this stunning artwork is that its colours are SO much better in real life. It's absolutely beautiful and captivating.
Oh goodness I love you so much how do I tell you how educational your channel is before you I always hated paintings and art because I couldn't understand but you are such a game changer in my life . Now I love art so much
Whoa. That is amazing! I'm so happy you love the content!
@@Art_Deco I've been following your work for some time now and wonder if you accept requests? Perseus and Andromeda, Frederic Leighton 1891. My favourite art gallery is The Walker in Liverpool.
I have mental illness, and it has taken me a very long time to accept that. But some of his paintings resonated with me. I constantly see swirling grey mists, day and night. I don't leave my home any longer. Poetry is my forte art brings me solice in my own prison. I'm lucky to be alive.
Van Gogh’s sister in law is an unsung hero of art
“While Vincent van Gogh was never in prison, his work "Prisoners exercising," was painted during his stay at an asylum in Saint-R my de Provence in 1890.”
They said that in this video.
@@websurfer5772yes the commentator was quoting the narration from this video.
My wife and I and my 11yp son went to the " Van Gogh experience".
It was really cool but intimately sad after hearing his entire life story.
He never really LOVED his own art work so to speak.
I just imagine what he would think of how it's all praised and studied, celebrated today.
Your videos are always beautifully researched, works of art in their own right.
Thank you very much!
I always enjoy your videos, thank you. 🇨🇦
Thank you!
I sorta need more of these little videos. I watched all of them. I think I am addicted. lol. For real though. More please.
🏃♀️💨 on it!
Take your time, because you do such an excellent job! 😊
I was so happy to see another video from you pop up. I was fortunate enough to be able to visit the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam and I loved every minute of it. It's obvious that you do so much research for the videos and the education you provide is excellent. I also love the Terry Gilliam-style animation you throw in there too.😁
Thanks - that was a very interesting analysis. Enjoyed it immensely!
Thank you, Dave! You’re always so kind and generous. I hope you’re doing well!
after watching two movies inspired by vincent's l ife and this one, theo's wife really moved me to tears. she's so supportive of theo and vincent that even after the two brother's death and she could just actually focus on being a single mother to her kid, she continued what her husband desires for the rest of her life. truly remarkable. such a green flag. imagine feeling so hopeless in life and realizing that all your efforts would be in vain but there is this actual someone who wishes for your best even after your death. truly trulyy touching. im sobbing rn.
Wow this was such an interesting look at his life! I know a lot of his paintings but not a lot of his life and I really love the way you bring the stories behind the art alive and the people in them. I had no idea how supportive his brother and Jo were and how Jo was instrumental to his success or that they named their baby after him. Like seemed like he was really well-loved, a shame he suffered so much mentally
I love the way you educate us in art, the humor gets me everytime,. It makes it so fun to learn more about these interesting paintings and their creators. Thank you and looking forward to the next one!
Your narrations are so delicious and bring all this art,
I have never seen,
Alive.
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This is such a beautiful and sad story of family devotion- thanks for sharing
While not his most famous work, this painting was referenced by Stanley Kubrick for one of the prison scenes in “A Clockwork Orange.” That was how I became aware of it.
Oh wow. That's so cool. That movies looks amazing btw. I should watch it!
It's a classic, and full of interesting themes and ideas.@@Art_Deco
I was trying to remember where I'd seen it before!
Great video. There's a theory about VVG and the ear incident which is honestly one of the saddest things I've ever read: the theory goes that Paul Gaugin was not Vincent's friend or artistic peer, but his lover, and that the night they quarreled when Vincent supposedly self harmed, what actually happened was that they got into a physical altercation. Gaugin lashed out with a kn*fe and VG lost part of his ear. Vincent never told anyone the truth, to protect his beloved. But Gaugin could never bring himself to speak to Vincent again, whether from disgust at his own hidden orientation or shame at what he had done. Hence Vincent's continuous return to the theme of loneliness in his paintings thereafter. I don't doubt he had mental struggles; this theory just suggests that they weren't all entirely inward, but may have had some external/ relational trigger as well.
I love ur videos and voice so much. The way you explained everything makes me even more interested in art and painting ♥️♥️. These videos are like comfort to me. I don't usually comment but this time I had to since I have been watching ur videos for so long.
Thank you for showing me details about the painting that I missed, and giving context about his life at the time, which I never would have known on my own.
I ascribe to the theory that it was actually Gauguin who cut off Vincent's ear, as Gauguin was known to get drunk and wave his sword around. Also, evidence makes it more like Vincent was murdered by René Secrétan, a teenage idiot playing with a gun, and that Vincent told the doctor to put it down as suicide so as to spare the teenager a murder trial, etc. You can google plenty of articles about it.
This is a great description of Vincent’s life. I think he felt trapped like the prisoners. I understand that somewhat, I had problems in my early adulthood. People don’t realize what it’s like being a prisoner of your own mind.😢
As someone who went a long time not appreciating art like it's meant to be, I'm so excited when you upload and give me a new painting to love!! Have you considered covering The Death of Marat? It's one of my favorites; it's so chilling to look at, and for me it's definitely the peak representation of the French Revolution (even better that it's contemporary). It perfectly captures all the political chaos, senseless violence, and the emptiness of it all in one single strange event.
Great choice! One of my favorite paintings and there is a lot of interesting history surrounding that painting.
Oh, that's my favourite Van Gogh's painting. I saw it at the museum in Moscow and I couldn't even take my eyes off. I'm not a big fan of Van Gogh's works (it's just not my cup of tea) but it's amazing.
If “Van Gogh: the Immersive Experience” comes within 50 miles of you, GO! There’s nothing like it. Fascinating, creative, quite a learning experience.
Thanks!
Thank you so much!
Wow the missionary work I never knew about. Beautiful
Theo naming his son after his brother and Vincent's sentiment on that is so touching and amazing. This is coming from someone who admires their brothers artistic merit tho so its biased. Life is a whirlwind that's why we all love Van Gogh and I personally am thankful for his brother for giving him a legacy. 😭😭😭 To me, the guards watch the prisoners circle as an oroborous, while some wish to break the cycle others are ashamed and following in line. The circle made by the prisoners is the only thing that is representative of Van Gogh's swirling unique style while the rest is hatched linear representing conformity.
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU 😊!!!!!
You're welcome!!!
Your videos are so fun!!! I've been binging for days! Haha
Please make a video about, The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke.
I've been curious since I heard Queen's song of the same name. Freddie Mercury was apparently fascinated with it to write an entire song describing every detail. Love it!
I've thought about doing that one! The back story is very interesting...
I agree! There are so many layers to the painting and Richard Dadd both! 😅
You would make that a great video, I'm sure of it!😊
@@Art_Deco'orrible murder!
I enjoy whenever you make a video about van Gogh, as well as others' videos about him and his art. His style could be considered objectively ugly, and yet so many of his pieces are so beautiful simply because of his own humanity that he put into them. Being able to see desires, hopes and agonies expressed in art can be so rare, even back then, but it enraptures the mind and the heart whenever someone finally accomplishes this.
A series of mini masterpieces, each one meticulously researched and presented. I always look forward to a new delight from you every couple of weeks. I don’t know if anyone has mentioned the hypnotic ASMR quality of your presentations either? I feel that your videos have not yet been fully recognised and deserve to achieve classic status in due course. Thank you Charlotte and all good wishes from London UK.
Vincent is by far my favorite artist. Almond blossom graces my planner and a corresponding journal, as well as several other notebooks and phone cases.
For as tragic as Vincent's life was, it always makes me at least a little happier hearing about his relationship with Theo and Jo.
Despite everything, there was clearly so much love in their family.
The story about Vincent's brother and sister-in-law supporting his work is a hard punch to the feels. That he spent time as a missionary, and chose to live in the same squalor as those he attentded tells me he was indeed close to God, whether or not the hypocritical Church says otherwise.
I absolutely love your Channel. I love the way that you use humor as well as historical facts. Van Gogh is one of my favorite artists second only to Dalí.
Vincent transcends the original with his copy's brilliant groundbreaking technique. I so respect your devotion to his art, as it increases my own appreciation. Thanks much, Art Deco!
The despair is palpable.
Dr. Rey: "Wow, Vince, what a great painting. You know who would LOVE This? The chickens!"
I simply love your meticulous observation throughout the detailings and essence of the painting! Painting needs emotion; and you delve deep onto decoding 'what's going on at the very base of the artist's mind' upon completing these masterpieces. That's brilliant. Your hypothesis is greatly plausable
I love those videos! I have never noticed the meaning or depth of the painting I have seen before. Only how they make me feel. It is so marvelous to have somebody to point out the details, meaning, and history behind it! And in such a pleasant voice too! Thank you!
Poor Vincent, seeing his self-portraits makes me want to give him a hug and comfort him, with his beautiful, sad blue eyes.
I have never seen this painting before, but looking at it feels like a sucker punch to the stomach. That is what it feels like to be in so much pain it renders you helpless. Thank you for your wonderful content. I am learning so much!
Greetings from the Netherlands! This is a lovely analysis. 💕
One of my faves. 🙏🏿 thank you.. your edits and wit are so entertaining
Thank you so much for your channel! I was never interested in art very much, but after one of your videos showed up in my recommended, I've loved watching your channel and even decided to take an art history class.
This video was really deep for me after every video I look at art differently thank you
Superb. Thank you for this thorough study. You make a wonderful art study and analysis. Thank you so much all who participated to make these superb art analysis.
your voice is so calming,i always love watching your content especially when i have nothing to do,keep the videos up,i love it !!❤
I prefer your more recent styles of essays. They're more entertaining and interesting than the more serious, traditional essay style from more than a year ago. My partner and I say "Yeah" to each other the same way that guy does in the painting and we even try to make the same face when we say it
Van Gogh is 1 one my favorites. His works inspired some of my very own oil paintings. I love showing my brushstrokes and using them to show movement and feeling. ❤
Impressionists at my favorites.
There's this amazing immersive experience/art exhibition on Vincent Van Gogh which I would highly recommend, the VR was honestly breathtaking. Its called "Van Gogh: The Immerive Experience" worth every penny. I went to the one in London, but I think you can find this in some city's across Europe also.
I love this channel. Keep up with the good work!
Quite common for musicians to give their own interpretation of a piece. For better or worse, it becomes their variation on a theme. Example - Disturbed's version of Simon and Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence". Perhaps more extreme, Beethoven's use of bird calls in many of his masterpieces. Not a copy, but a variation or interpretation.
Painters, like Van Gough, turn what is evil and cruel into beauty and thought for us to share. Thank you...
I had never seen this painting. Van Gogh was a tragic figure, but fascinating as well. Thank you so much for sharing your research and knowledge!
I definitely loved this video ❤ Thanks so much for making it 😌 You genuinely work so hard and it all pays off 😊
Love your videos, for some reason they bring comfort to me 😅😊
Thanks for your efforts 🙂
I have seen this painting at LACMA and was completely taken aback.
It’s a small yet powerful painting. I’d not seen it anywhere until then - not even in books about Van Gogh. . . until now. NICE!
I never liked VvG's art! It "bothered" me.
You have changed my mind! Now i "get" WHY it bothers me. And I see/feel the beauy. Understanding the "times" and the artist, himself - all of it is done so well.
Your sincerity and passion along with the education - make your channel delightful.
What a joy to find a new upload ❤
Van Gogh the artist is more complicated to love than the paintings, and many people who love him in passing don't understand at all that there's a whole face of his work that, because it's not as loved doesn't get associated with him as much. His painting are as much as he saw as how he felt at the time or felt about them.
There are shining stars and sunflowers, rich irises and saturated, joyous landscapes with peaceful-looking working people in them. There are also less idealized peasants depicted "The Potato Eaters" group of paintings who are brown and mucky and a little like friendly goblins in their weird proportions, which is odd, given how pure he felt peasant life was. And there is nature painted with grey skies, and ominous crows that does not feel like it's headed for heaven one bit. And self-portraits cover both a sort of earnest peacefulness and moral uprightness and a suffering self.
We can esteem his art and still suggest that the neighbors who wanted him out of the neighborhood might have had good reason in his behavior, although their fear-mongering about his red hair does suggest their was some bigoted bias going on, as there usually is with vagrants causing public discomfort. What the best context would have been for him to live in, and whether he was really someone we would want to know outside his paintings should be talked about more. It's the same conversation we have about a lot of painters, but what makes him notable among them is the degree of doubt surrounding how much responsibility he bears for sometimes being a difficult and dangerous person, given that mental health problems and poverty kept him trapped and always reacting.
Finally, someone mentions the poverty themes. Thank you.
I'd love a film about Jo's journey.
Art Deco uploaded?!? CLICK! ✌🏼
When you talk about tragic figures and tragic paintings, there's no more tragic, tortured figure in art than Vincent: a genius, who could not see his genius, yet at some level, he knew that doing a painting for the birth of his nephew would still be a suitable gift.
At some level, I think that even if his paintings had found even a portion of the fame they later achieved, Vincent would still have been dissatisfied.
And there's another thing - I think that Van Gogh's belief system would have been offended by the fact that the Wealthy spend literally hundreds of millions of dollars to own one of his paintings, while ignoring the pain and misery they see all around them...
Thank you for the video...
this painting is so cool :)
When I was in 7th grade, I was in art class and wrote that Vincent was my most favorite artist of all time. I was laughed out of class since he was mentally ill! Philistines is what I went to school with.
He Still Exists in This Moment 💞
When somebody has “ it hits different “ in the title , my level of respect goes down 75% immediately.
And is Van Gogh the only artist these children know these days?
Are they all fascinated because he was mentally unstable and they all believe he reflects them?
There is so much art in the world that is just as fascinating. If not more.
I love your videos, they're what got me interested in paintings, art history and analysis. Please consider making a video about "The Garden Of Earthly Delights" by Hyeronimoys Bosch
That's amazing! Yes! I definitely need to make a video on that painting. It will be an interesting one no doubt 🤣
Great suggestion, I love that piece soo much!! Finally got myself a copy so I could spend hours pouring over it.
@icyfire6879 I would love to get myself one too, so many details to notice
@@Art_Deco In that same vein is the famous painting by Peter Breugel called Proverbs. I just completed a 1500 piece puzzle of that painting which is three feet wide. It is fascinating piece of work because of the detail.
I really enjoy your videos!
Thank you.
Stanley Kubrick must have used this painting as inspiration for the prison exercise scene in A Clockwork Orange.
Thank you for this; fills in many gaps in my knowledge. I enjoy your channel.
As an artist, a copy can become an interpretation and this is such, filled with his own experiences and feelings. It can be both about his own feelings and his connection to those who are actual prisoners. It's Humanism at its best in art.
❤❤❤Van Gogh