Vincent Van Gogh Research Paper

Vincent Van Gogh: Self Portrait with Gray Hat
September 23, 2015
Art 190-970
Bryanna Michel

The life of Vincent Van Gogh is miraculously devastating. Van Gogh was not an artist his entire life. Coming up on his last ten years of life is when he really produced his most remarkable pieces. The pieces that he created during the end of his life are now scattered across the world. His works of art were upbeat, full of life, flowers, and stars; but his life did not relate to the pieces in which he was creating. Throughout his life he had lots of catastrophes and dreary times. Those who were apart of his life left as fast as they came. They were temporary figures that he was unable to keep around. His life was a sorrow story of

optimism and dejection.

His lonesomeness caused him to paint and draw, what he did created the supremacy in each individual piece. On March 30, 1853, Vincent was brought into the world by Anna Cornelia Carbonates and Theodorus van Gogh. Art was always a strain that rain through his family. Like stated, he did not start producing art till late in his life but it was present throughout his childhood. Tony McKenna states, “Although for the most part Vincent was not drawing or painting methodically. Nevertheless, art pervaded his existence: his education, his family connections and his work were all imbued with it.” Another place that Vincent was able to find inspiration was from his religion. He found a passion in preaching. His attempt to become a priest was his first failure of many, due to the fact that the clergy did not believe that he met the principles in which were necessary. Close family members would describe him as solemn and reserved. Vincent eventually fell in love but was quickly

precluded. He was left alone, in a great state of depression. The heartbreak caused him as an artist to succeed.
During his heartbreak and depression, Van Gogh took on a challenge of painting his own portrait. “Between 1886 and 1889, Vincent van Gogh painted his own portrait 37 times; these paintings represent approximately 10% of his artistic output during that time and are generally considered among his most important works.” Self-portraits were a late development and portrayed the environment and expressiveness that Europe as a country had until the Renaissance period. The Self Portrait with Gray Hat, was painted in 1887. The medium was oil on canvas. Van Gogh felt that he did not care what society thought about his art, but rather the fact that he was doing it for himself. He wanted to do portraits but he found that he could not afford models in order to paint, so he found that his face was the most expressive and he took off from there. He felt that his face was full of drama. Unintentionally he did the portrait to understand where he was coming from and what he was feeling. He was able to recognize fear and sadness but also hope and happiness, all throughout his face. He felt that his face was the only he could trust. Looking back at his childhood as well as adulthood, he was not to blame. He was always alone and no one stayed around for long. This portrait was painted in Paris. The portrait shows that he is no looking at the viewer but yet further and deeper past one who looks at the piece of art. He shows himself to be colorful and vivid. He kept his beard to show that he is firm and serious. This portrait is very exciting because of the colors he decided to use.
Vincent van Gogh died in 1890 at the age of 47. Soon after his death, physicians began to investigate what happened to cause his death. The physicians came to the conclusion that, “he had ingested leaded oil paints prompted research revealed his exposure to additional sources of lead and other toxic substances for 13 years before death.” Another source that brought the physicians to this conclusion were the grumbles that van Gogh use to send to his brother. The letters that he send talk about the fact that he underwent neurotoxicity, and encephalopathy. Van Gogh could have lived a much longer and legendary life. He did not take the illness very seriously and it ended up cutting him short out of life. The pieces that he created while he was still alive were astounding but imagine if he were around longer. His potential would have sky rocketed. Due to pieces such as, “Self Portrait with Gray Hat,” Vincent died through his own creations.
Vincent van Gogh lived a short and not so sweet life.

The amount that he accomplished during his lifestyle was much more than the average human would. The, “Self Portrait with Gray Hat,” was the most important piece that he created. This piece of art showed both sides of him as an artist. HE wanted the viewer or critique to see that he had paint and he could not trust anyone but he was stern and tried again and again for happiness. He used bright colors to show his attempt through life to find enjoyment and to be content. Doing a portrait of himself many times and times again showed the fact that he could not trust others, he could only trust himself. It also showed that he was part of the lower class because he could not afford to have a model to paint or draw. This portrait shows his personality, characteristics, and the triumphs he overcame not only as a person but also as an artist. This piece of art is so special because it shows who he is and his entire life

story.

Bibliography

McKenna, Tony. "Vincent Van Gogh, Critique: Journal of Socialist Theory." University of Northern Colorado Libraries The Source Catalog. April 11, 2011. Accessed September 24, 2015.

Salcman, Michael. "Self-Portrait with a Grey Felt Hat (1886–1887) by Vincent Van Gogh (1853–1890)." Science Direct. October 14, 2013. Accessed September 23, 2015.

Weissman, Edward. "Vincent Van Gogh (1853-90): The Plumbic Artist." Summon 2.0 University of Northern Colorado. May 1, 2008. Accessed September 24, 2015.