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“[He] was the finest… of them all: Certainly the most popular great [leader] of all time, the most beloved, his command of [his domain] the most magnificent.” What great leader deserves such commendation? Was it Alexander the Great? George Washington? Winston Churchill? Read now the full quote: “[He] was the finest painter of them all: Certainly the most popular great painter of all time, the most beloved, his command of color the most magnificent. He transformed the pain of his tormented life into ecstatic beauty. Pain is easy to portray, but to use your passion and pain to portray the ecstasy and joy and magnificence of our world—No one had ever done it before. Perhaps no one ever will again. …That strange, wild man who roamed the fields …show more content…
of Provance was not only the world’s greatest artist, but also one of the greatest men who ever lived.” (Moffat, 2010) His domain was the world of painting. His name was Vincent van Gogh. Van Gogh may seem an odd choice for “a leader who has demonstrated strong leadership skills in their ability to lead, produce change, and generate a followership.” (Christensen, 2016) Nevertheless, he provides an excellent example of all these leadership qualities and more. Vincent was born on March 30, 1853 in the Netherlands. He was an odd child, with a hot temper that could flare up at any moment, rude, and even violent. This manner was not lost in his adult years, which greatly contributed to the fact that he never married despite many passionate loves. He was 27 years old when he discovered his love for art. Over the next 10 years he created over 2,100 works of art. During this time he was greatly tormented by bouts of insanity. He was an unloved outcast in whatever society he happened to find himself. Gradually his mental illness became worse and worse, until his death by suicide at 37. At the outset, it may appear that, of all people, this “passionate pilgrim,” as Hanson and Hanson (1955) dub him, would be the last to be considered a great leader. But looking a little deeper, we see van Gogh revealed for what he is. He had a mind a century ahead of his time, but he “modeled the way” (Kouzes and Posner, 2012, p. 42) for aspiring artists for generations to come. Through his art, he found what Kouzes and Posner would call “a way to express a leadership philosophy” (p. 42) in his own unique talent. Notably, change was a heavily involved aspect of van Gogh’s leadership philosophy—and change in the established world of art was not to go over well in his day. Komives, Lucas and McMahon (2013) wisely note that “even the smallest of changes can be difficult to introduce and manage. Many people resist change or are fearful that a change in their work, their environment, their job, or their personal life will negatively affect them.” (p. 408) Van Gogh had an even more difficult job however: changing the way an entire culture saw art. In a world where the beauty of artwork was determined solely by how accurate it was to life, he set Impressionism on fire. Another practice Kouzes and Posner identify as utilized by leaders is “inspiring a shared vision.” (p. 100) This van Gogh did as well. The vision of changing the world of art did not truly catch fire until after he died, but he inspired it nonetheless. I and thousands of other artists the world over share his vision to vastly expand both the concept and the quantity of art. Again, Kouzes and Posner suggest that leaders always be prepared to “challenge the process” (p. 156) if there is a chance of making things better. As previously mentioned, van Gogh was not the least bit scared of challenging the status quo. That is part of why he had so few followers during his lifetime. Thus, van Gogh clearly demonstrates this leadership trait as well. Naturally, leaders “need partners to make extraordinary things happen in organizations.” (Kouzes and Posner, 2012, p. 214) van Gogh realized this, which is why he considered himself a failure. If only he had known of the partners, of the followership that he would gain in the decades to come! Moreover, even van Gogh was not completely disliked. Although, say Hanson and Hanson, some artists were unable to “endure his gaucherie and rudeness,” (p. 67) those who took the time to see beyond the man’s rough exterior found something, it was not easy to put a name to it, that forced respect from one and more than respect—downright admiration. Vincent had remarkable integrity, made prodigious efforts to overcome his late start, persistently refused to aim at anything but the highest, and proved at heart to be a good fellow. (Hanson and Hanson, 1955, pp. 65-66) But even were he universally hated during his own time, his grand legacy of a followership would still demonstrate his propensity to “enable others to act.” (Kouzes and Posner, 2012, p. 214) So far we have observed Vincent’s leadership strengths only.
But alas, no leader is without his weaknesses as well! Although he exhibits four of Kouzes and Posner’s leadership practices, he seems to fail when it comes to “encouraging the heart.” (p. 272) There are two major causes for this. First, his abrasive personality tended to turn off the people he met. Imagine saying hello to your new grubby-looking neighbor, only to be greeted in return by a one-fingered salute! (Hanson and Hanson, 1955, p. 123) Van Gogh had no close friends excepting his brother Theo. Second, even for those who admire his leadership, his story holds no great encouragement. The lonely artist considered himself a failure and inevitably committed suicide. His story is not a happy one with a few rough patches from time to time. It is a full-blown tragedy, with a small patch of hope in the epilogue as his leadership is finally recognized in the years following his death. There is much to learn from the story of Vincent van Gogh. For me he is an inspiration, one who was unloved, but in love with the concept of love. He fought long and hard enough against his mental illness that he was able to produce an astonishingly copious amount of art in a relatively short time span. I am thankful for the social skills I have, but I will continue to strive after his passion and creative talent. Vincent van Gogh was truly a great
man.
Vincent Van Gogh is one of the world’s greatest and most well-known artists, but when he was alive he considered himself to be a complete failure. It was not until after he died that Van Gogh’s paintings received the recognition they deserved. Today he is thought to be the second best Dutch artist, after Rembrandt. Born in 1853, he was one of the biggest artistic influences of the 19th century. Vincent Van Gogh created a new era of art, he learned to use art to escape his mental illness, and he still continues to inspire artists over 100 years later.
Imagine creating some of the best art pieces in the world but never being fully credited or awarded for those pieces. Enter Vincent van Gogh. Born on March 30th, 1853 in Groot-Zundert, Netherlands, Van Gogh grew up in a poor household. His father Theodorus Van Gogh expressed an austere attitude as a country minister and his mother, Anna Cornelia Carbentus portrayed her infatuation for nature through her watercolor based art. She would later pass on her watercolor technique to VanGogh. At 15 Van Gogh was obligated to quit school and acquire job to support his poor family. In June of 1873 Van Gogh was transferred to the Groupil Gallery in London where he developed a passion for art. After being fired from a few meaningless jobs, Van Gogh decided to become an artist without any proper training or guidance. His parents doubted his abilities but his brother Theo, a successful art dealer believed in Vincent and offered him financial support. With the assistance of his brother,
Both artists’ paintings have become successful throughout the years. Through their similar use of line, movement, space, and color, they have created paintings that has been and will be seen by countless viewers. However, it is their contrasting use of value, emphasis, balance, and shape that have made their artwork different from one another, yet beautiful in their own way. It delivers a message to be different instead of going with the flow so that one day you, too, could be as successful as these painters.
Coming from a family greatly involved in art dealing, Vincent van Gogh was destined to have a place in the world of art. Van Gogh’s unique techniques and use of color, which clashed and differed greatly from the masters of the art world of his time, would eventually gain him the recognition as one of the founders of modern art. Van Gogh’s early life was heavily influenced by the role of his father who was a pastor and chose to follow in his footsteps. Although he abandoned the desire to become a pastor, van Gogh remained a spiritual being and was strong in faith. Plagued with a troubled mind and poor health, van Gogh’s life became filled with torment and isolation that would influence his career in later life as an artist. In his late twenties, van Gogh had decided that it was God’s divine plan for him to become a painter. His works would express through thoughtful composition and vibrant color, the emotions that he was unable to manifest in the real world. Van Gogh’s perception of reality and his technique would face harsh criticism and never receive full acceptance from his peers as a serious artist during his brief career. In a collection of correspondence entitled The Letters of a Post-Impressionist, Vincent confirmed these thoughts while writing to his brother Theo, “It irritates me to hear people say that I have no "technique." It is just possible that there is no trace of it, because I hold myself aloof from all painters” (27). His technique would later be marveled and revered by the art world. Vincent van Gogh’s legacy would thrive as it challenged the way the world envisioned modern art through his unique brush strokes and profound use of color as seen in his works The Sower and The Night Café. A brief look into...
By the age of 27, van Gogh had been in turn a salesman in an art gallery, a French tutor, a theological student, and an evangelist among the miners at Wasmes in Belgium. Vincent felt a strong emotional attachment to the miners. He sympathized with their dreadful working conditions and did his best, as their spiritual leader, to ease the burden of their lives. These early works evidence were dark and serious, sometimes crude. Unfortunately, this unselfish desire would reach somewhat obsessive proportio...
What drove Vincent Van Gogh, born March 30,1853, to his mental illness and suicide? Could it have been the many things he tried, but failed at in his life? He failed in many different careers, in love, and even his artwork. Van Gogh sold only one painting his entire life. Because of his mental illness, he was considered a crazy person.
Vincent was an influential post-Impressionist painter born in 1853, Netherlands. With Theo van Gogh’s association, Vincent met reputable Impressionist painters such as Émile Henri Bernard and Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin. Impressionism served as a platform for Vincent in developing his own style . He explored with colours, a stark contrast from his usual dark and sombre style. The influence of Japonisme charmed Vincent into residing in Arles where he began painting landscapes. Thereafter, Vincent voluntarily checked into Saint-Rémy sanatorium where his works reflected strong colours and lights of the countryside around him. His manic depression and epileptic condition, led to his suicide on July 27th 1890.
images in this painting, all of which have the power to symbolize to us, the viewer, of the painter’s
...wn in the succeeding works of his lifetime. It is thought that this aura of sorrow is capable of moving a person so much that a sadness like this is only found in Rembrandt's last portraits, and no other accomplished artists’. Titian’s work is significant for this effect of inspiring and stirring emotion in even the tamest heart. (“Encyclopedia of World Biography” 242-243)
of human minds, and able to express true emotion into his art that very few artists could ever hope to portray.
Vincent Van Gogh never gave up his style and insight in his early work compared to his later work. I will discuss the comparison of the Potato Eaters and Starry Night and even though there are obvious differences, the core of his passion and eccentricities can be seen.
One thing Van Gogh mastered was hiding his mental illness. His depression began during his two year stay in London. There he struggled was with the living situation he was in. For months he cut off communication with family, renounced any connections with his social life, and adapted a gloomy lifestyle. It wasn't until Vincent became more passionately involved in religion that he began to cheer up. He lost all interest in his art career and spent the next four years reacting to his calling, a preacher. As a result the church dismissed him. Again this lead Van Gogh to depression. He questioned how he could be of any use to the world. Finally, at the age of 27, he realized art was a good direction and began producing work. For a while everything seemed to be moving at a constant and stable pace. While vincent was visiting home, he fell for his widowed cousin Kee. When she scorned him, Vincent alienated
Van Gogh believed that greatness is achieved through the accumulation of smaller, intentional acts. Important things start small and develop over time. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin demonstrates the path towards greatness: “the then State of my Mind, with regard to my Principles and Morals, that you may see how far those influenc'd the future Events of my Life” (1.88). Franklin’s desire to succeed and further himself lead to his gradual success. Eminence is not accidental; Franklin’s legacy is the result of several steps Franklin took throughout his life, such as running The Pennsylvania Gazette and publishing Poor Richard’s
...h figures of animals and people. I like that his work was very abstract. I like when he reflected his dry mood and varying mood, and he also expresses political convictions. I like when he used poetry, music and dreams and sometimes he included words or musical notation. His work relates to me because I like to work in art and invent my own style to create my pieces of art. I imagine my life colorful, and he uses a lot of colors to create his work. I like to use the resources that I have available to create a single piece of art, like he did. What I admire from him is that he never gave up, he always tried to work on his skills and improved them, and he accepted pressure from his friends in a good manner. I also like from him that he always tried to create his own work in his own style and he combine a lot of styles of art to create a single piece of art.
Vincent van Gogh was born with his name and birthday already etched onto a tombstone. No wonder Vincent Van Gogh had so many mental illnesses and problems he probably thought his life was destined for doom. To add to that, his life didn’t have that many positives and even though people all over the world love his work, he only sold one in his lifetime. In my opinion the best art is the one that makes you feel something and Vincent Van Gogh’s work can make me happy, sad or just plain peaceful. Vincent Van Gogh conveys so much color and emotion in his work that makes you wish you saw the world in the way that he did.