Art of the Day
A week of van Gogh self-portraits
Vincent van Gogh (1853 – 1890)
Self-Portrait, September 1889
Oil on canvas, In a private collection
This portrait was made while the artist was in an asylum in Saint-Rémy. During this point in his life, van Gogh continued his paintings of landscapes, including his famed cypresses. Van Gogh was forced to stop because of attacks, in which he tried to poison himself by swallowing his own paints, that often occurred while he was outdoors. He confined himself inside his room and began to do a series of paintings based on works of other artists he admired. There were also many self-portraits done at this point.
In November of 1998, this particular painting sold to a private collector for 71.5 million dollars.
Ironically enough, only one of van Gogh’s paintings sold while he was alive. That painting, The Red Vineyard, which is pictured on the left, now hangs in Moscow in the Pushkin Museum.
Click on images for a larger view.
Bits and pieces of this info were found on various websites and in various books.
71,5 million dollars..??! YAY! That is crazy!!
Don’t get me wrong — I like Van Gogh — but why would that one sell for so much?
I recently saw Starry Night when it came to the High Museum o’Art, and the first thing I thought was: “look how tiny it is.” Usually Starry Night is shown blown up really huge, but the actual painting is, like, the size of a sheet of paper. Amazing.
My favorite Van Gogh is, hands down, Cafe Terrace. I could see paying $72 mill for that — it’s gorgeous.
He was probably trying to kill himself cos noone was buying his work.
Then they go and pay obscene amounts for it AFTER he’s kicked the bucket.
Sad really, the man was a misunderstood genius.
Nyz xo
He kinda looks mental in that portrait, doesn’t he? You have to feel sorry for the guy. But, better late than never, right? I imagine he would have been crazy even people did buy his work. Success usually doesn’t cure insanity.
I think that I should get all the money.. Hey, I can just say he was my great great great grand uncles cousins former best freinds roomates sisters dogs playtoy!
You are so touching with all your Van Goghishness! I love him! He was such a great artist, and still is!
Sad is the operative word all right. This is a portrait that shows his derangedness clearly. Once again: he looks scared, doesn’t he?
Thanks for the info, Jenn. I love reading this stuff.
That is an amaaaaaazing self-portrait. He is sad, scared, and resigned, all in one. He is also a rather good-looking man (I love red hair and he looks like he’s got some strawberry blonde going on).
The Duchess
wow