Vincent - you are more popular than ever !
The increased interest in the works of Van Gogh has brought UK climate activists to the top of the news feed, as members of climate defending organizations have been using his paintings in acts of civil protest.
Last week, two climate activists were arrested after walking into London’s National Gallery of Art, throwing two cans of Heinz tomato soup at Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” (1888), and gluing their hands to the wall. The museum confirmed that the painting, which was covered by protective glass, was unharmed — but the Internet was set aflame with criticisms, defenses, and a smattering of conspiracy theory. The two protestors, Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland, are part of Just Stop Oil, a group that has made headlines this year for similar stunts. Although members of the group have attached themselves to the frames of other famous works, the tomato soup incident struck a nerve. (2)
I think that Vincent would be proud if he knew that his works were being used to draw attention to such climate issues. But what a shame that weaponizing art is what it takes for the media to pay attention to the threats to our fragile climate.
While I am a big fan of these immersive events (even the yoga events!), I am still determined to see his brushstrokes and get a better understanding of his artistic style by viewing in person as many of his actual paintings as I can. This year I have traveled to Museums in Boston, Chicago, New York and Santa Barbara to view his works, as the demand for his works has grown they are getting easier to see in person in the US.
The Art Institute of Chicago is a beautiful museum with an incredibly diverse collection of work. We saw five Van Gogh’s along with beautiful works by Jackson Pollack , George Seurant , Georgia O’Keefe, Pablo Picasso and more. And speaking of Chicago — this is where I saw what is my new favorite Van Gogh painting - let me introduce you to “The Drinkers”
Van Gogh entered the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum at Saint-Rémy in May 1889 as a third-class voluntary patient. In the first weeks of his treatment he did not leave the area of the asylum and he only started to paint outside the walls in June 1889. During the rest of the summer the worsening of his condition did not make it possible for him to work outside, thus in July and August he painted mostly portraits and he copied pictures of his favourite artists, Millet and Delacroix. However, his attention was also caught by the peculiar figures of Daumier.
The Drinkers was based on a woodcut after Charles Daumier's original which was entitled "The Psychology of Drinkers - the Four Ages. " Van Gogh referred to the work only as Drinkers, probably the depicted types of people engaged him more than the allegorical meaning.
“The Psychology of Drinkers - the Four Ages” 1862 -Charles Daumier
In his copies, van Gogh did not make any subjects his own, he merely borrowed them. Daumier's Drinkers simply reminded him of his own excesses in Paris and Arles, but once he painted a copy, the picture re-established its intrinsic power and meaning. (3)
Outside of the Art Institute of Chicago
Links to articles featured in this post;
(1) Immersive Van Gogh - marketwatch.com
(2)https://hyperallergic.com/771926/climate-protester-who-souped-van-gogh-artwork-speaks-out/
(3) https://fineartbiblio.com/artworks/vincent-van-gogh/7572/the-drinkers-after-daumier
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