ROSES and THE BEDROOM

This morning we're up early, 5:30 actually, because the "boss" needed to go potty.  In one week our individual roles are clearly defined.  Somehow a hierarchy formed, and I don't think I need to say which of the three of us is on the top!

Before starting my post, I want to send special birthday wishes out to my faithful blog follower in the State of Washington.  This is just for you, Sista!

Roses - 1890

 This is one of two rose paintings that Van Gogh made just before leaving the hospital.  He clearly saw flower blossoms as celebrations of renewal--as full of life.  We get this feeling from the fresh spring green of the background.  Notice the tips of the leaves, how pointed they are.  They look like small spears.  Is that a hint of the pain that is prevalent in most of his works?  The fallen leaves and white rose petals appear to have been made with hasty brush strokes.  The table has a soft hint of pink, as do the roses.  The paint appears to have been thickly applied on the canvas.  When Vincent left Saint-Remy Hospital on May 16, 1890, he explained to brother Theo, "These canvases will take a whole month to dry, but the attendant here will undertake to send them off after my departure."  They arrived in Auvers by June 24th.

Van Gogh made this next painting of his bedroom in the Yellow House.  He decorated this sacred space with his artwork and simple furniture.  Vincent made three separate paintings of his bedroom.

The Bedroom - 1888

This painting shows Vincent's knowledge of color theory, placing oranges against blues and red and greens.  Make note of his chairs.  We'll see another painting of Van Gogh's chair which will be in sharp contrast to the painting of Gauguin's chair.  Why did he not paint shadows or human figures in this painting?    Like all of us,  Vincent yearned to belong somewhere, and this bedroom was his human nest.  His own space where he could be himself and not constantly be judged by others.

Do you remember the painting of Van Gogh with his ear bandaged?  Remember the blue door in that painting?  Well, here we see that same blue door.🖌