Loving Vincent: A Mind In Color
Vincent Van Gogh is definitely one of the most influential and acclaimed painters in the world. His works are known by millions of people. Star Night and his series of sunflowers can be seen on mugs, t-shirts, bags, on TV and on the internet. This popularity has been the key to Loving Vincent becoming a success on the big screen.
Loving Vincent from 2017 is an animated film about the painter’s life and tragic death. Directed by Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman, each image in the film is a small oil painting. More than 125 painters worked nonstop for years to make this film a masterpiece.
Van Gogh: An unconventional artist
Vincent Van Gogh was born in 1853 in the Netherlands. Some might argue that Vincent’s life was decided by a bad omen. He was named after his brother, who was stillborn exactly one year earlier. As the eldest of six, he was a shy and introverted child.
After dropping out of school, Vincent began an apprenticeship at Goupil & Co., an internationally recognized art trade. It was probably there that he developed his interest in painting.
Unfortunately, trade in art was not something for Vincent. Goupil & Co. fired him for neglecting his work. After this, Van Gogh decided to become a man of God.
While traveling around Holland and Belgium preaching the word of God, Van Gogh developed an artistic vision. This is where he started painting. Even in his early sketches, one can see themes that become recurring throughout his career.
He was very interested in the poor, fields as well as the seasons, autumn and winter. First of all, Van Gogh dedicated himself to portraying the life of the working class. It is possible that his Protestant background influenced this.
Vincent Van Gogh was a very prolific painter with over 900 paintings, in addition to 1600 drawings and sketches. Van Gogh is part of the post-impressionist movement, which focuses on light and movement. Wide brushstrokes and colors fill many of Van Gogh’s works.
Letters to Theo
What we know about Vincent stems mainly from his correspondence with his younger brother, Theo. Vincent loved to write and wrote more than 600 letters to Theo, who kept them in perfect condition.
Theo, who was four years younger than Vincent, supported his brother unconditionally. Theo and Vincent had been in a close relationship since childhood, and Theo greatly admired his older brother.
Because of all of the above, when he was 15 years old, Theo began working as an art dealer in Vincent’s old company. Unlike Vincent, Theo worked there all his life. The job gave him the financial freedom to fund Vincent’s art.
Since he was quite young, Theo sent money to Vincent, since the latter did not earn much. In his letters, Vincent asks for Theos’ help countless times. Theo was a friend and protector of Vincent. Their friendship was deep and their love unconditional.
Goodbye, Vincent: Loving Vincent
Vincent Van Gogh died under unusual and suspicious circumstances. After a stroll around town, Vincent returned home with a gunshot wound to the stomach. Theo just managed to see his brother before he died of blood loss.
For decades, there have been theories that Vincent had committed suicide, but recent studies claim otherwise. The angle of the wound makes it unlikely that Vincent should have shot himself.
At the same time, there were two boys, the Secretan brothers, who were on vacation in the city. The brothers were unruly and shot animals in the field. Maybe a stray bullet hit Vincent, and he probably would not tell about the boys.
After Vincent’s death, Theo became very depressed. A year after his brother’s death, Theo died, leaving a wife and a small child.
Theo’s wife collected all the letters that the brothers had exchanged, as well as all the drawings and paintings of Vincent that she could.
