I absolutely love the conception of this very Japanese wood block influenced still life. It gives fruition to a graphic linearity and a bold contrast between sinewy green leaves and soft, billowing blossoms. As Susan Bingham and I have been discussing on the subject of still life, which I like to refer to as “distilled life,” a concentration of life to one captured presence in the purity of the moment, it can be understood in a symbolically expressive way. I believe there is not an arbitrary reason for the Japanese influence, but a referencing when Vincent contrasts the spindly and jagged leaves, with the softness of the blossoms. One subject Vincent would return to time and again was his own estrangement from society, and his abrasive moods and inability, as much as he would like this to be different, to have a pleasant and meaningful report with others and to get along with others. The two books placed precariously at the side of the table in a likelihood represent his relationship with Theo, the most and probably only meaningful relationship in his life, and how much he desires this to be more secure and the center of his life. Stylistically, this is a magnificent piece with visual elegance and drama, and substantively, this is a magnificent piece, with meaningful elegance and drama. So much to be learned from this great artist.
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 14:12:18 +0000
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