I would have to say I favor Impressionism, particularly Post-Impressionism, over the previous art we have studied from the Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical eras. I have appreciated all the art thus far, but it is so refreshing to see a beautiful piece of art without the religious or classical antiquity undertone. Impressionism and Post-Impression are depicting beauty just because they can, there is usually no complicated under lying meaning beneath the works. A person is free to interpret the works how they may.
Almond Branches
My personal favorite Post-Impressionist artist is Vincent van Gogh. I can’t explain how beautiful I think his works are. I have choose to show his Almond Branches, my personal favorite of all the works I have seen so far. This piece was created in Saint Remy in 1890 when he committed himself to the hospital at Saint-Paul-de-Mausole. Most of his works at this time focused on the actual clinic and its gardens. This painting it simply just beautiful and displays gorgeous blue and white colors that create and very calming effect. That is why I am so found of this piece, there is no dark, disturbing meaning. It is just a calm, light, nice print.
Olive Trees with Alpilles in the Background
Rue Montorgueil, Paris, Festival of June 30, 1878
Another painting I have chosen to display of van Gogh is his Olive Trees with Alpilles in the Background painted in 1889 also in Saint Remy. This work was inspired after taking his short, supervised walk he was allowed while staying at the asylum. This work is characteristic of van Gogh because of the swirls he employed in his paintings around this time. This Post-Impressionistic piece perhaps better illustrates the obvious blending of colors, sketchy lines, and loose brush strokes of Impressionism, but at the same time illustrates how it is still more formalized and structured than typical Impressionist paintings, like those of Monet. I have shown Monet’s Rue Montorgueil, Paris, Festival of June 30, 1878, obviously completed in Paris in 1878, to compare its less structured appearance to van Gogh’s Post-Impressionistic works that weren’t quite as loose and were more formalized. Van Gogh’s works are also a little more emotional, as one can see in the aggressive swirls he utilizes in his works, than the Impressionist paintings, but they still didn’t carry the heavy symbolism that previous eras employed in paintings.
I really enjoy the Post-Impressionism style because it doesn’t focus on typical religious and historical matter, but it still depicts some emotions, van Gogh shows emotions through his colors and his ‘swirls’, and lets the viewer use their own interpretation of the piece. Post-Impression is the most beautiful artistic movement I have encountered. This art form is a far cry from the religious depictions of the Renaissance, portraiture of the Baroque, or political influences of the Classical era. Impressionism and Post Impressionism is art for the sake of art, beautiful with no ulterior motives.
Works cited:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_van_Gogh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Monet-montorgueil.JPG
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://imagecache5.art.com/
March 9, 2010 at 12:42 am
You provided great background and a way of identifying Van Gogh’s art in comparison to other impressionists and post-impressionists. I very much enjoyed the first piece, “Almond Branches”, that you displayed. The second piece from Van Gogh that you displayed was also a well chosen piece, the contrast between the two is a nice touch. However, I find darkness in it that you did not, but I suppose that’s a matter of interpretation. Some fun historical facts you may have delved into could be why he cut off a portion of his ear, the effect his stay at the asylum had on his work, or that he only sold one painting during his life time (becoming popular only after his death). Also, you may want to refrain from using wikipedia, as it is not a solid source of information. Here’s a link to a good Van Gogh reference, should you be interested: http://www.vangoghgallery.com/
June 8, 2010 at 7:42 am
I too love the art from the Impressionism era! I have enjoyed reading your factual and informative blog. I appreciate your honesty in your aesthetic reaction to this art form and the specific artists which you showcased. Very nice choices. You have vaguely referenced some of the differences from the Impressionism era yet did not provide much in the way of specifics.