Response to Van Gogh.

           Vincent Van Gogh was a Postimpressionist painter whose art is quite famous for its illuminating colors and emotional appeal. His work also includes extensive painting of landscapes and still life. Van Gogh's paintings portray intensive and long brush strokes which are mesmerizing when studying them. You can also see that the brush strokes are painted in a way, leading you in the direction of the painting. Here is a painting "The starry Night" of Van Gogh, one of the most, or might as well be The one, well known work of his. 

As you can see what I mean by the brush strokes, well I hope so anyways! ;) Van Gogh is also pointed at for his vibrant colors and you can see that in the picture above. The stars are so bright and capturing that it makes me feel like I was there that night when Van Gogh decided to paint something so unbelievable to us today. But that's only a dream ;). Another example of Van Gogh can also be seen in his next painting that illuminates his abilities. 

 This is another one of Van Gogh's Postimpressionist painting of a landscape. When I see this painting I feel golden because the main part of this piece is painted so brightly that it reflects back on you and also because that's how Van Gogh made the painting to appear to the viewers. 

           Van Gogh's work was thoughtful and understanding because he had experienced psychological pain during his lifetime, which is shown here in one of his PAINtings. :D.   

The painting right above is a work of a doctor named M. Gachet with whom Van Gogh has formed a close and grateful relationship because he said, "we resemble each other physically and mentally."  This Portrait not only shows a "melancholy expression", and a grimace to some, it clearly tells the mood and is gently painted to perfect the inspiration behind it. Van Gogh was said to be emotionally distressed ever since his child hood. During that time, and quite a while after,  many of his earlier paintings included somber hues that when you look at them they give off a depressing effect. It makes the viewer understand what Van Gogh has been through. 

      It is told that Van Gogh didn't have any children, and he had family troubles, so all he had was Art. He made the most of it, and his life thorough it. But pain overtook his life. Nevertheless, what's left of his work shows his passion and dedication he had and appreciated for it.

Historical Artwork

         When it comes to Historical Art, I think of Renaissance. Most particularly Leonardo Da Vinci's well known painting of Mona Lisa, which is what I am going to be discussing about today. First, a little about the artist. Leonardo was born on April 15, 1452 in Vinci, Italy and died on May 2, 1519. He was and still is known to be the most famous artist. While he is mainly known for that ,Da Vinci is considered a "Polymath" because he was also a scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist, and writer. Whew! No wonder he is known as the "Renaissance Man."
        Ok, so Mona Lisa. Based on my research, it is said that Da Vinci used "pyramid design," "to place the women simply and calmly in the painting." In this painting, the one element of art that stands out the most to me is Line. Just take a look a the picture below, I admire the way the outlines of her palms fit finely on to the other as she rests them on top of each other. Also, there has been a great deal of debate on whether Mona Lisa is smiling or that's just her common face. I believe that she is smiling because if you take a look at the picture again, I see that the corner of her lips curve to the point that if you look at her eyes, you will see that the lines at the end of them curve upwards. This only means that she appears to be a happy camper, in my opinion! The painting is certainly created to define in every aspect because Da Vinci has used several tints and shades to bring about the different yet almost the same hues used repeatedly. For example, Mona Lisa is wearing shades of maroon, bottle cap green, and golden ivory. Then, these same oil paints are incorporated into the painting but at a much lighter hue for the background, and middle ground.
           Which brings us to space. Da vinci has used simple yet again but in a clever way of showing the background, middle ground, and foreground. I say Mona Lisa is in the foreground because she appears much clearer and you can see the depth in her from her tired looking eyes to the almost invisible arm rest of the chair. You might have to squint to take a peek at the background and make out what it is but the middle ground is much clearer because it is closer. Definitely Da Vinci has used variety of sizes and color if not more to show emphasis such as the line on Mona Lisa's head, which was also argued intensely about because many thought women wore that when they were pregnant. Contrast in the painting is evident when you look at her hair and clothes against the background and middle ground with are lighter in color and so they distinct her very much in the painting. Even though there is never a unity of this painting by Da vinci because it has become so much arguable and controversial throughout the years, I believe that Da Vinci has created a feeling of completeness with his distinctive details and colors.