On Friday 31st July I was standing in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. It was fascinating, people were ‘church’ hushed as they filed slowly past so many famous works of art. Some wore the headphones listening to the recorded detailed description of each piece. Others (like myself) stood looking at these pieces…close enough to touch .. thinking our own thoughts. Occasionally a small group would mutter among themselves. One or two of them pointing to some small detail. It seemed obvious that they knew what they were looking for and talking about. Unfortunately I could not understand their language so I had to content myself with my own thoughts.

Image via Wikipedia

Vincent Van Gogh was born in Groot Zundert a small village in the Netherlands in 1853. He was the son of a pastor. He was employed as a lay pastor and did various other jobs. In 1883 he took up art seriously and in 1885-86 he attended the Academy in Antwerp where he was impressed by Japanese prints. Gaughin, Degas and Seurat also made an impression on him..inspired or informed by them he lightened his colours. Although he died young he produced 2000 pieces of art.

Looking at a picture postcard reprint or an image on a computer screen does not come close to seeing the real thing but here are a few of my Favourite Van Goghs along with some of my thoughts.

Sunflowers Arles 1889.

Image via Wikipedia

Sunflowers is one of his most famous (and probably popular) works. I think it is an iconic image and synonymous with Van Gogh. The one I viewed was the repetition of the fourth version, Van Gogh used newly invented pigments so the paintings were innovative in their time. Technical stuff about art is not my forte but I couldn’t help thinking how bright and vivacious the painting was even though Van Gogh painted the flowers in different stages of life from full bloom to withering. As I stood looking at it I couldn’t help thinking there is no sense of regret of life passing rather the painting seemed to develop a cheekiness, a resilience and a quality of determination or defiance.