**a Tribute To Van Gogh And His Sunflowers Poem by RAJ NANDY

A TRIBUTE TO VINCENT VAN GOGH’S
PAINTINGS OF SUNFLOWERS.
“One may have a blazing hearth in one’s soul
and yet no one ever come to sit by it.Passerby
see only a wisp of smoke from the chimney and
continue on the way.” – Vincent Van Gogh(1853-1890)

A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY
Though during his brief life-span of 37 years he had
remained almost wholly unknown;
His artistic talents began to exhibit itself during his
early years, -
To become a colossus amongst post-impressionist
painters in his later years!
The son of a Dutch clergyman, he had worked in
various capacities, -
In his uncle’s art gallery, in a bookstore, and pursued
theological studies in Amsterdam University!
Followed by a short stint in Belgium’s coal-mining
district as a lay missionary!
At the age of 27 years took to painting with financial
help from elder brother Theo,
Who encouraged and helped him for the next ten years
or so!
This was the most creative period of Vincent’s life,
Followed by an attack of dementia when he cut his
own ear lobe risking his life!
On 27th July 1890, he shot himself, bringing his
great artistic career to a tragic end!

SERIES OF 11 SUNFLOWER PAINTINGS
Vincent commenced his famous sunflower series
to decorate his house in Arles, France,
Anticipating his friend Paul Gaugin’s visit in
advance!
His first four canvases had paintings of cut sun-
flowers in bunches of twos and fours;
Painted in Paris during Aug-Sep 1887, which the
world adores!
But his later Arles series of seven still life canvases
are better known to us,
And this series of paintings had made Vincent
internationally famous!
The most valued of these seven is a vase containing
a bunch of 15 sunflowers, -
Now displayed at the Art Museum in the city of Tokyo;
A Japanese firm had paid 40 million dollars at an
auction for this masterpiece to show! !

Vincent brought his passion for sunflowers from his
homeland in Holland,
Which became synonymous with him like those water
lilies with his contemporary painter Monet!
Vincent painted the various stages of the flower’s bloom,
From its glowing stage till it wilted and swooned!
Chrome yellow and yellow ochre made them look fresh,
And arid brown and somber shades for its wilted stage!
Thus his paintings covered all angles of spectrum of life
itself, -
In turn reaching a deeper understanding of how all living
things are tied together and made!
His explosive energy was displayed through his vibrant
shades of yellow,
Using red for passion, and green for conflict to show!
Grey shades for life’s inevitable surrender, and blue with
infinity;
Thus this Dutch impressionist painter harnessed a
moment of time in eternity!
-Raj Nandy
29 Sep 09

FOOT NOTES: -
Since I do drawing & painting at times, for a long time I was wanting to write this tribute!
Dr Jan Hulsker, a foremost scholar on Van Gogh, had said that
this Sunflower series of paintings brought Vincent eternal acclaim & fame!
During his short life span he made 700 paintings,1600 drawings,9 lithographs & one etching!
His Potatoe Eaters, Red Vineyard, Starry Night - are all famous
Paintings! Paul Gaugin &Claude Monet were his other Impressionist contemporaries.
Impressionism emphasized changing qualities of light & color, visible brush strokes, open composition, - creating an impression of a
moment of time! Got its name from Claude Monet’s harbour painting - ‘Impressions & Sunrise’! This art form became popular in 1880s and 1890s!
***ALL COPY RIGHTS RESERVED BY RAJ NANDY**