Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Universal Sacred Space


The Peace Dome Building
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The overall design of the building is a round shape with a dome shaped roof at the top and has been kept simple intentionally so that it can appeal to adherents of the world’s many religious faiths. It is a big, open, and bright space; a place to which people of any faith could feel comfortable. The universal design is meant to encourage people of different faiths to stop by and pray, meditate, or simply reflect. No overtly religious symbols have been included as these symbols could possibly alienate those of certain religious faiths and make it less likely that people from different beliefs would choose to visit the building.
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The building consists of a circular shaped brick wall that is covered in natural rocks which supports a dome shaped roof at the top. The natural rocks that cover the outside walls of the building incorporate an element of nature into the building. As stated in the Chapter 9 of the “Exploring Art” text book, in many religions, rocks are symbolic of containers or “symbols for spirits or deities.” The dome shaped roof has a main skylight at the center point at the very top. In addition, it has a series of triangular shaped skylights around the top that allow yet more sunlight to enter and circulate throughout the entire building.  As also stated in Chapter 9 of the “Exploring Art” textbook, light and sun are often seen as “divine symbols or sometimes spirits themselves.”
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There are a number of small windows just below the dome which consist of stained leaded glass. Towards the bottom there is another series of windows which again consist of leaded stained glass. Many sacred buildings include stained glass with religious imagery. However, in order to create a building acceptable to all religions, no religious imagery was included on the windows. All of the windows create a sense of brightness and warmth within the building and convey an atmosphere of openness and peace.
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Another significant symbolic element is the circular shape of the building because this is often used in many religions to symbolize eternity. Eternal life and/or afterlife are common themes in many of the world’s religions and are therefore an appropriate symbol for a universal sacred space. As such the building can provide a neutral space for all types of religious ceremonies.
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Gathering Room
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The Universal Gathering Room can be used by many religions as a place where members can congregate. The architectural design is very simple and integrates a few principles of modern sacred space design. It is a very large room with a high ceiling and elaborate ornamented columns. There is a podium for speaking which is situated on a low standing stage in order to provide for more of a connection between speaker and audience. The circle on the podium and atop the two far end columns is a very popular religious contour and here represents man’s quest to identify wholeness and comprehend deeper meaning from such a simple shape that is ubiquitous in the world around us (circular shape of earth, sun, flowers, ripples in water, etc). A space that is universal will definitely have the circular form integrated somewhere within its confines. The doors and shape of the stage mimic and support the dome structure of the building which itself symbolizes the curved biome of the earth that gives nourishment needed to sustain life.
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The room is targeted as a space for worship by all religions who believe in one or more higher beings and so resembles the gathering rooms often found among those religions. Hanging on the wall in the background are two spiritual paintings that signify a universal style of worship available to all. The left abstract painting is titled “Prelude to a New Renaissance” created by an artist named Gilles Mansillon. It is a vortex of “creation” and the renaissance referred to in the title is of a new universal spiritual connection with the world around us. The right painting is another abstract painting that can be used by many religions. It is a painting by Victoria Neal, a spiritual artist who creates paintings that “build [bridges of universal understanding] from this world to the next”.
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Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Spirit
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Earth- “Karensansui” design box, garden, Bonsai Trees
Air- Wind Chimes, the roof is mainly a tinted skylight to let light in
Fire- Fireplace, candles, outdoor firepit
Water- Pond indoors and outdoor stream
Spirit- a place to enjoy nature and refresh your spirit
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In designing my Sacred Space, I kept in mind that most religions do respect nature and look at is as a great gift as well as a necessity of life. I wanted to show that nature is a calming, beautiful and essential part of our lives. As you step in the room, you see candles on the right which you can light and put on shelves. There is a small box with sand and rocks in it called “Karesansui” or Japanese Rock garden. This is used sometimes for people to reflect on their day, or just to appreciate the simplistic beauty and ever changing design. Outside I have put a large garden for people to walk and enjoy nature outdoors. Wind chimes hang from the roof and so people can enjoy the sound they make when the wind stirs them. Benches sit on the grass so people can sit down and relax and enjoy nature in a peaceful and safe and beautiful area.
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Music Room
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The music room is a place where all different religions can come and worship through different musical rituals. Music is a big part of most religions, and it is usually through music that most religions believe they can get in touch with their higher being; making the music room very important. The room has a very simple design in which all the instruments are moveable as well as the stage. There is also a large amount of seating so others can listen and participate, and there is great sound projection so that the sound can be heard very clearly throughout the room. There is no specific feature that ties it to any one particular religion; this is to insure that no one is offended.
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Tranquility Sitting Room
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Another area within the Peace Dome Building is the Tranquility Sitting Room. The Tranquility Sitting Room is a place of transition between the gathering room and the garden area. There are two rugs and natural lighting (from the window and fire lamp) that fills the space and creates a soothing ambiance. Visitors can sit in the chair, meditate on the two large rugs (one is Persian and one is Chinese), and lounge on the pillows that are scattered throughout the room while enjoying time in a relaxing environment. There is no clock in this room so guests of this sacred quarter will not have to deal with burden of time in their worship.
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Overall, the design of the Peace Dome Building provides an excellent space in which all religions can coexist.
Posted by Jenna, Kevin, Lataira, Melanie, Stephen

Monday, December 1, 2008

Museum Visit

(Click student name)
Stephen Warren - Museum Assignment
Jenna Sumners - Museum Assignment
Melanie Zoch - Museum Assignment
Kevin Thomas - Museum Assignment
Posted by Jenna, Kevin, Lataira, Melanie, Stephen

Friday, November 7, 2008

Individual Sacred Spaces

Basilica of San Vitale
Jenna Sumners
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General Description:
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The Basilica of San Vitale is the most famous monument in Ravenna, Italy and is one of the most important examples of Byzantine Art and architecture in Western Europe. Construction on San VitaleThe church began in 527 by Bishop Ecclesius, when Ravenna was under the rule of the Ostrogoths, and completed by the 27th Bishop of Ravenna, Maximian in 548 during the Byzantine Exarchate of Ravenna. The architect of this church is unknown, but he was certainly among the best architects of his time..
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Architectural Design:
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The church has an octagonal plan that combines the Roman elements of domes, shaped doorways, and stepped towers with the Byzantine elements of capitals and narrow bricks; however, the basilica is most famous for its Byzantine mosaics. Outside of Constantinople, it is the largest and best preserved. The central section of the church is surrounded by two ambulatories, or places for walking. In the church building reserved for clergy, there is a cross ribbed vault enhanced with mosaics of leaves, fruit and flowers, that come together on a crown encircling the Lamb of God.
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Harmony with Nature:
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Many of the mosaics within the curch display aspects of nature such as fruit, flowers, trees, and birds. The setting of the church, as well as the works of art inside of it create a harmony with nature.
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Symbolism and Sacred Objects:
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At the foot of the apse side walls are two mosaic panels built in 548. On the left is a mosaic depicting the Emperor Justinian who is wearing purple robes with a golden halo, standing next to court officials, Bishop Maximian, praetorian guards and deacons. The halo around his head gives him the same aspect as Christ. Justinian himself stands in the middle, with soldiers on his left and clergy on this right, emphasizing that Justinian is the leader of both church and state of his empire. He also holds a paten and is shown with a 3 day beard to show that too busy to shave since he is performing his duties as emperor. The gold background of the mosaic shows that Justinian and his entourage are inside the church and gives off an otherworldly,spiritual vibe. The figures are placed in a V shape; Justinian is placed in the front and in the middle to show his importance with Bishop Maximian on his left and lesser individuals being placed behind them. This placement can be seen through the overlapping feet of the individuals present in the mosaic. On the right side is Empress Theodora solemn and formal, with golden halo, crown and jewels, and a train of court ladies, almost depicted as a goddess.
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How it is Used by Worshippers:
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San Vitale was used as a place of worship in Byzantine era following its construction. However, now it is more of a tourist attraction, but it is still used as a church and a place of sanctuary for those who wish to come. It stands as a symbol of the importance of religion, both in the past and to this day.
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Sources:
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Stonehenge
Stephen Warren
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General Description:
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Stonehenge is an ancient megalithic site located in the southwestern England county of Wiltshire. It is generally thought to date to at least 2000 BC although other theories say that it may be even older. It consists of huge stones of varying sizes laid out in a circular shape and is thought to have been an ancient burial site.
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Architectural Design:
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According to the UN world heritage agency UNESCO, Stonehenge is “the most architecturally sophisticated prehistoric stone circle in the world” that is “unrivalled in its design and unique engineering” and consists of “huge horizontal stone lintels capping the outer circle and the trilithons, locked together by carefully shaped joints.” The circle of stones, known as the Sarsen Circle is about 108 feet in diameter and originally consisted of 30 sandstone blocks. Today, only 17 have been left standing. Originally, they supported lintels and formed a continuous circle all the way around. The lintels were fitted using a joint known as the tongue-and –groove. The Sarsen stones consist of a hard-grained sandstone and are thought to have been brought in from Marlborough Downs which is about 20 miles away from Stonehenge. There is also a grouping of five pairs of upright stones known as trilithons which are located within the Sarsen Circle and are arranged in a horseshoe shape. The lintels remain on only three out of an original five trilithons.
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Harmony with Nature:
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Stonehenge’s harmony with nature is demonstrated in the natural stone materials that were used in its construction. The massive stones were shaped into column like structures and arranged in a natural circular shape. The site is also in harmony with the sun during the summer solstice when the sun sets on the heel stone which is located at the edge of the site.
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Symbolism and Sacred Objects:
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The site was used as a burial site that involved human burials and cremations. A recent archeological study found that it was used as a burial site for longer than first thought. In Hengeworld, a book by archaeologist Mike Pitts, it is suggested that the site was used to host ceremonies where the dead were taken to Stonehenge which was considered to be the world of their ancestors. Also, stone was often considered to represent the dead in certain cultures and wood was representative of the living. Woodhenge is a wooden ruin located close to Stonehenge that may have been used for ceremonies for the living.
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How it is used by Worshippers:
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One of the theories is that the blue stones used in the construction of Stonehenge were thought by the people of the time to have healing powers. According to Professor Darvill at Bournemouth University in England, one of the ideas under investigation is that “Medieval legend tells us that the power of bluestone had the ability to make people well.”. So Stonehenge may have been a location for healing in ancient England. Other theories are that it was used to worship ancestors or that it was used as a calendar. Also, the site continues to attract a New Age following, especially each year during the summer Solstice.
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Sources:
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The Parthenon and the Acropolis
Melanie Zoch
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Southwest view of Acropolis rock with the south slope- Photo Copyright Hellenic Ministry of Culture
The Parthenon as it is believed to have originally looked
The Parthenon today
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General Description:
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On a hill outside of the ancient city of Athens, Greece is the Acropolis which has as its crowning jewel a temple of the Greek goddess Athena, the Parthenon. It was built by the Greek general and statesman Pericles between 447-432 B.C.E. and was used to worship Athena. Parthenon means “temple of the virgin”. The Acropolis was always used as a sacred site even before they built the Parthenon, but the Persians kept destroying the temples until the Greeks built the Parthenon. Unfortunately, it was not kept as such and was stripped of its valuables and turned into other places of worship. In the 5th century, Middle Ages it was a place to worship the Christian Virgin Mary and in 1460 it was a Mosque to worship Mohammed until the 19th century. But the worst damage was done to the temple in 1687 when the Turks were using it to store weapons and gunpowder and the Venetians blew it up. The Turks were in power then and sold many pieces of the Parthenon to the English Lord Elgin.
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In 1974, it was given back to the Greeks who have turned it into a symbol of democracy once again, as well as a place for people who love the classics to go and feel that they are there, walking among Plato and the great thinkers of ancient Greece.
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There are many pieces of the Parthenon that were stolen by the greedy Lord Elgin and are in the British museum and elsewhere in Europe and should all be given back so that the Parthenon may come closer to becoming whole again as well as the fact that it is a history of the Greek people and should be with them.
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Today the Service of Restoration of the Monuments of the Acropolis in collaboration with the First Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities are restoring and rebuilding the Parthenon.
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On the top of the Parthenon was a frieze of the gods and goddesses. Athena is to the right of Zeus.
From left to right, Hera-sitting, Mercury-with wings in back, Zeus, Nike in the middle with the wings, Athena, Hercules with the axe in back, Poseiden, and Apollo with the lyre, and the Cherub Cupid.
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Architectural Design:
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The Parthenon was brilliantly designed by ancient architects Iktinos and Kallikrates. It is a rectangle 8 columns wide and 17 columns long. The Parthenon is a post and lintel temple with Doric columns and an Ionic Frieze. There are no straight lines in the design of the Parthenon which enhances its feel as a part of the organic surrounds of the Acropolis. Designed to bulge out at mid column it gives an illusion of holding great weight. The columns were designed to bulge so they did not look thin against the blue sky. Even the steps are not straight across. It was very difficult to be so precise in the past and even now it would be a challenge.  The Metopes have Ionic Friezes that contain brilliant, life like images of Greek Mythology including Centauromachy on the South which is the best preserved, Amazonomachy on the West side, Gigantomachy on the East side and the Trojan War on the North side. “Machy” means “war of the.”
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Centaurmachy, the war between the Centaurs and the Lapiths
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Harmony with Nature:
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The Parthenon is built to look organic and be in harmony with its surroundings. It is made of brilliant white marble quarried nearby. On a hill surrounded by trees its design makes it at once pop out visually yet look as though it should be there. The look of natural marble and how it was designed to flow makes it at once a huge monument and a massive work of natural art. These days the Parthenon is in danger from nature from earthquakes and the weather.
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Symbolism and Sacred Objects:
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The statue of Athena inside the Parthenon was made by the sculptor Pheidias of Chryselephantine (Ivory) and gold and stood 40 feet in height. Below is a replica and drawing. The original was stolen by a Roman Emporer and taken to Constantinople and unfortunately was destroyed by the Christians at the time of the crusades. The Parthenon also is a symbol of Democracy which the Greeks invented and are very proud of to this day.
Statue of Athena
Drawing by Candace Smith, from Stewart 1990, fig. 361, 1993
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How it was used by Worshippers:
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The ancient Greeks believed in many gods and goddesses. Athena was the daughter of Zeus and considered one of the most powerful gods. She was the goddess of wisdom, war, weaving, crafts, metal work of weapons and heroic journeys. Worshippers were not allowed inside, only the priests of Athena were. They could look in and see and worship the awe inspiring statue of Athena, holding Nike in her hand which stands for victory. The ancient Greeks believed that Athena actually was present in the Parthenon and it was a place where she resided. It is not really known for sure, but some scholars have supposed that young virgins wove textiles in honor of Athena there. In modern times, there is a resurgence of the old mythology in Athens and there are now people who currently worship Athena and go there to pray to her.
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Sources:
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Shinto Shrine at Ise
Kevin Thomas
General Description:
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The Shinto religion of Japan states that nature is a magical place that houses the gods of the physical universe. These gods are better characterized by the Shinto religion as “spirits” which reside in natural objects referred to as kami. Kami embody the natural processes of growth, production, fertility and renewal. They are worshiped to provide for the spiritual and physical needs of the Japanese people. At first, there was no actual shrine architecture to signify these sacred spaces; instead a stone, mountain, forest, tree, or other natural structure (kami itself) served as the main place of worship within the religion. Eventually shrines were built to house the kami deep within. The Shinto Shrine at Ise was built in 685 A.D.
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Architectural Design:
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The Shinto Shrine at Ise is composed of wood and other construction materials taken directly from the surrounding natural environment of the Shrine. The Ise Shrine is taken down and rebuilt every twenty years. In the process of rebuilding, the location of the old shrine is covered with white pebbles and a small central hut (called the oi-ya) is all that remains. Within the hut is the shin-no-mihashira (sacred central post.) The oi-ya and shin-no-mihashira are the holy parts of the structure around which the new Shinto Shrine is built. The structure is actually composed of two distinct shrines; the outer shrine (Toyouke Daijingu) and the inner Imperial shrine (Kotai Jingu or Naiku.)
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Harmony with Nature:
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The great Shinto shrine at Ise is built in an expansive forest of cryptomeria trees. Cryptomeria trees are tall massive conifer trees that are used to symbolize growth and eternity but also which lend a feeling of awe to all those that travel to the monument at Ise. The wood of the cryptomeria is reddish-pink in color and produces an attractive scent that fills the entire area. The fact that the Shrine is built using the same materials found within the forest and is as Jonathan Reynolds of The Art Bulletin magazine puts it “devoid of unnecessary ornamentation” creates a spiritual symbiosis between the shrine itself and its adjacent natural location; the shrine is not only located within the forest but is a part of it.
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Symbolism and Sacred Objects:
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The Shinto Shrine at Ise is devoted to the goddess (or spirit) Amaterasu Omikami symbolized by the inner Imperial shrine (Naiku.) Amaterasu Omikami translates to “that which illuminates heaven” and is the sun spirit which is one of the most important deities in the Shinto religion. She is represented by a sacred mirror (Yata no Kagami: one of the Three Sacred Treasures of ancient imperial Japan) that is positioned within the shrine as its holiest possession (kami).
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How it is used by Worshippers:
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The Shinto Shrine at Ise is not open to the public. Since 690 A.D. it has been the place of the enthronement ceremony of the Emperor of Japan. The ceremony is extremely private and involves the presentation of the Yata no Kagami along with the other two sacred treasures (Kusanagi Sword and Yasakani no magatama necklace of jewels) to the emperor by high Shinto priestess. In addition, annual festivals are held outside the Shrine at Ise to pray for ample harvest, present offerings, break in the New Year, and celebrate Japanese history, etc.
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Sources:
Reynolds, M., Jonathan (June 2003). Ise shrine and a modernist construction of Japanese tradition. The Art Bulletin, 83(2), pp. 316-341. Published by College Art Association.
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University of Pittsburg. Ancient civilizations: Japan - the archaeological age. Retrieved November 2, 2008, from: http://www.pitt.edu/~asian/week-4/week-4.html.
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University of California, Berkeley. Sacred Spaces in Shinto. Retrieved November 2, 2008, from: http://orias.berkeley.edu/visuals/japan_visuals/shinto.HTM.
Posted by Jenna, Kevin, Lataira, Melanie, Stephen

Monday, October 27, 2008

Paragone Discussion

Paragone Summary Questions for “Standing in the Shoes” assignment:
Michelangelo vs. Da Vinci
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1. Do you think that one type of art is superior to another?
We didn't think that one kind of art is superior to another. Sculpting and painting are both amazing and equally take quite a bit of work to produce. It's just a matter of the talent that the individual artist has which determines its “worth”. We all gained more an immense appreciation for the process of actually sitting down, planning, and creating art in whatever form that it occurs.
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2. Do you think a discussion such as the Paragone is useful?
We thought that the discussion was useful as it allowed everyone to share both their unique as well as common experiences while working on their project. It also allowed us to learn from each other because artists need to draw on the experiences and inspiration of others to be able to create great works of art. In particular, Stephen could relate specifically to the paragone of Leonardo because he listened to music while sketching and found that it did help him relax and enjoy the process more. Kevin realized how technically difficult it was for Da Vinci to produce accurate looking sketches but concedes Leonardo’s point that it is easier to “repair damage” produced in painting (or sketch) more easily than a mistake in sculpture.
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3. How did your week as an artist influence your interpretation of this reading?
It definitely gave us all an insight into the real world experiences of an artist. It gave us a familiarity with producing art that made the reading more applicable. Those that did the sculpture could absolutely relate to the part where if too much material is removed then you pretty much have to start over. The group members who worked with soap noticed that chunks would break off quite easily making the process even more of a challenge. LaTaira ended up switching to wax as a more “solid” medium. Melanie in her effort to create a dolphin (and as soap shavings lay scattered on her couch) says she saw the process as more of revealing the dolphin within the soap bar by just removing everything that wasn’t her dolphin. Jenna found it hard to carve smoothly. Carving her domino was a lesson in concentration and patience.
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4. Did your group reach a consensus?
Yes, our group did reach a consensus in that all of us do not think that one type of art is superior to another. It all depends on the talents of the individual artist and all of us can appreciate a great work of art no matter whether it is a sculpture or painting. Also even though the assignment took either as much or more effort than planned, we all really enjoyed the experience. It allowed us to explore art further than just face value.
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Posted by Jenna, Kevin, Lataira, Melanie, Stephen

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

"Standing in the Shoes"

“Standing in the Shoes” of Michelangelo – Melanie Zoch
I had fun carving, I may take it up as a hobby.  I just took the advice of something I read once about sculpting and that is to take away all that which is not your object.  I just took off everything that did not look like a dolphin.  I wish I had a bigger bar of soap and if I continue in this hobby, I will find a larger medium, maybe wood to work with. I did buy carving tools at Wal-Mart.  I appreciate the patience it takes to do this, but the reward is worth it.  It feels good to create something.  I am artistic anyway so I really enjoyed this assignment.  Doing it yourself is better than just looking at someone else's work.
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“Standing in the Shoes” of Michelangelo – LaTaira Wilburn
After three tries with three different bars of soap I decided to use a candle which was much easier to sculpt than the soap because it was not as soft.  Carving the candle into a potted flower took a very long time because the slightest mistake could have ruined the entire sculpture.  Sculpting the petals was the hardest part of all at first I started out with square petals and then began to curve the rounded edges which was harder than I thought.  After doing this I now have a lot of respect and appreciation for artists such as Michelangelo; the time, effort, and creativity that it takes to make a sculpture amazes me.
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“Standing in the Shoes” of Michelangelo – Jenna Sumners

I attempted to sculpt a domino out of soap. Even though it was not a complex thing to carve, it still took me quite a while. It was really hard to get a perfectly rectangular shape, so I ended up with a fairly small domino with a curved back. It makes you respect those who have the diligence and talent to sculpt something so perfect it could be real if it weren't made of marble or stone. I chose a domino because in a way people are like dominoes. If dominoes are set up on end side by side in a line, and you push one over it will hit the next one which will hit the one beside it...etc, until all of the dominoes are knocked over. As people, we thrive on social interactions, and the things we do and say may only appear to affect one person, but in reality it could affect everyone that the person comes in contact with afterwards; a domino or ripple effect.
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“Standing in the Shoes” of Da Vinci – Stephen Warren
In order to demonstrate the various techniques used by da Vinci, I chose to do a sketch of a painting called “Oceanside Villa” by the artist Silverado.  The atmospheric change between the foreground and background is demonstrated in the way that the foreground is an enclosed courtyard and the background is the wide open ocean and the fresh, clear blue sky.  Perspective in the sketch is demonstrated by the use objects in the foreground and background.  In the foreground, the objects that stand out the most are the two pottery planters, whereas in the background, the eye is drawn to the two boats on the beach which appear much smaller and this effectively demonstrates perspective.  The vanishing point is the horizon where the parallel lines of the ocean and sky meet just above the boats.
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“Standing in the Shoes” of Da Vinci – Kevin Thomas
I chose to stand in the shoes of Leonardo Da Vinci and make a sketch using some of the principles that he used often in his artwork. I started with the idea of a courtyard that incorporated both several of the architectural elements seen during the time of Da Vinci (colonnade, fountain, etc) along with modern architecture (window sill, door structure, etc). I made an attempt to create an Atmospheric/ aerial perspective by lightly applying diagonal shading to more distant objects in an effort to create the “blueing” that is very noticeable as objects retreat from the foreground to the background in Da Vinci’s color paintings. Of course since I was standing in the shoes of Da Vinci, “my” shoes were available to be placed in two locations within the drawing to show scale and depth. The shoes located far away to the right are made smaller and less distinct emphasizing their position in the background, while I tried to draw the shoes which are located near and to the left more distinctly with a heavier stroke and less shading. The vanishing point is far in the background directly above the fountain’s water spring and to the left of the middle column. I created the vanishing point with: the four (4) dark/ slanted horizontal ground/ roof lines, the different height of columns (middle is the longest), and the vertical water fountain sprout beneath.
Posted by Jenna, Kevin, Lataira, Melanie, Stephen

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Van Gogh - Artist Description


Van Gogh - Artist Description

Vincent van Gogh was born March 30, 1853 in the village of Groot-Zunder in the Netherlands. His father was a Dutch minister. He had three brothers and three sisters, although one brother, after whom he was named, was stillborn. Van Gogh attended a boarding elementary school. While in middle school he showed an increasing interest and talent for art. Eventually, Van Gogh became an art dealer but was unsuccessful and was later fired. He then turned to religion and worked for a while as a minister’s assistant. Ultimately he failed in his attempt to become a theologian, unable to handle the rigorous theology study and examination that was required.

Leaving theology school he worked temporarily as a missionary in Belgium but didn’t get along with church authorities because he, in their view, demeaned their “holy” profession by living among the people and making them subjects of his artwork. Van Gogh attended the Royal Academy of Art where he received a formal study in Art. He then moved home, continued drawing and fell in love with and proposed to his cousin (Kee). She along with family denied his proposal, which eventually prompted him to leave furiously.

Van Gogh moved to The Hague, the Netherlands where he had children with a drunken prostitute from whom he caught gonorrhea (she killed herself many years later.) He left her and moved back in with his parents in Nuenen, the Netherlands. It was there that Van Gogh’s father died. Around this time he used lots of dark colors in his art work (not the bright impressionistic painting he later became renowned for).

Moving to Antwerp in Belgium, Van Gogh attended the Academy of Fine Arts. During this time he allegedly caught syphilis and possibly even got a village art model pregnant. Continuing his nomadic ways, Van Gogh then traveled to Paris where he studied a wide variety of impressionistic painting/ painters (learned about pointillism/ visible brush strokes/ use of bright complementary colors/ depictions of ordinary subject matter etc.)

He then spent time giving art lessons and painting with fellow artist Paul Gauguin in Arles, France. A dark time in his life in part derived from a turbulent friendship with Gauguin began and culminated with Van Gogh cutting off a part of his earlobe while suffering from delirium and terror of being poisoned. Van Gogh was taken to a psychiatric infirmary and later began attending sessions with a physician, Dr. Gachet. He continued painting throughout this time. In the end, Van Gogh’s depression and despair became more profound. He shot himself in the chest and died in bed a few days later at the age of 37.

Over the next few paragraphs, we will examine three of Van Gogh’s most famous and admired paintings, “The Potato Eaters”,“The Café Terrace on the Place du Forum,” and the “The Red Vineyard."


The Potato Eaters
“The Potato Eaters” was Van Gogh's first conscious effort to gain acceptance within the art community. At this point in his life, he only had five years of study behind him, yet he was eager to prove himself to the world.

This piece was unique in the fact that the peasants of the picture were not sugar coated; the piece was a “real peasant painting.” Van Gogh said that he “wanted to convey the idea that the people eating potatoes by the light of an oil lamp used the same hands with which they take food from the plate as they did to work the land, that they have toiled with their hands—that they have earned their food by honest means." The painting that was completed consisted of five people sitting around a square table eating potatoes, one of them is male and the other four are females. Although the piece is dark and bleak, the emotions in the faces of the occupants are clearly visible. “These figures are so intense that one can nearly hear the conversations being spoken around the table”, perhaps this layered with the darkness is what draws one to examine the smaller details of the painting.

The significance of Van Gogh’s piece “The Potato Eaters” was that, although the piece never gained the acknowledgement or notoriety that he yearned for during his lifetime, today the piece has garnered great acclaim within the artistic community and is widely considered to be his first masterpiece.


The Café Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles, at Night
"The Café Terrace on the Place du Forum," was painted in 1888 towards the end of his life in the south of France. He was excited by the unique colors and light that he found in the south of France. He was also eager to experiment and tried to show the range of colors seen at night in Arles.

It is the first painting that Van Gogh did in his most famous series of 3 paintings that included "Starry Night" and "Starry Night Over the Rhone". I chose this piece because of my love for it. The contrast of the bright yellow walls which give it so much warmth, and make it so inviting, with the darkness and dreariness of the city on the right is striking. The brightness of the sky together with the vivid yellow stars shining over the people outside the café adds an extra element of hopefulness and interest to this fascinating outdoor scene.

To me, as well as millions of other people, this painting tells a significant and compelling story. I see it as a view of a warm and hopeful place bustling with people, with the darkness and uncertainty of the rest of city almost eclipsed by the bright yellow of a happy and lively place. The stars overhead convey a sense of warmth and benevolence, looking down on this cheery and magical scene. I love this painting and always have because it speaks volumes about the human spirit, a spirit that yearns for the warmth, comfort and friendship our fellow human beings.


The Red Vineyard
During his life, Vincent van Gogh was never famous as a painter and struggled to make his living as an artist. Van Gogh sold only one painting from his vast collection of works while he was alive, "The Red Vineyard", making this painting both unique and significant in this aspect. The painting sold in Brussels for 400 francs only a few months before his death.

"The Red Vineyard" is one of his most vivid paintings and one of his first attempts at painting an actual outdoor scene that he was physically looking at, while trying to learn from, and somewhat mimic a fellow painter, Paul Gauguin. I chose this painting for its practical and aesthetic appeal, as it depicts a scene that was probably quite common in those days.
Posted by Jenna, Kevin, Lataira, Melanie, Stephen
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