Comments on: An Artistic Life

By: Nymeth

Nymeth — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 12:50:18 +0000

“Vincent Van Gogh wanted to make drawings that touch people. If he only knew how much his paintings have gone for now then he would know he achieved his dream.” He really did. I love his art (my favourite is probably Starry Night), and this sounds like a fascinating read.

By: Literary Feline

Literary Feline — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:48:38 +0000

I can’t say I’m a big fan of the artist. I do think he was very talented though and had a special gift. This book sounds like an interesting one. Thank you for your review!

By: Anna

Anna — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:26:29 +0000

I don’t know anything about him, but I think he was a great artist. Maybe I’ll check this one out some time.

By: Bookgirl

Bookgirl — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:44:49 +0000

Matthew – Exactly! I also loved learning about how he went from drawing to painting. That was something I’d never really thought about before. I’m glad you like the sound of this one!
Veens – Glad you’ll think of this one. I think maybe you might even like his paintings just a little bit more if you check out the book

By: Veens

Veens — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:32:02 +0000

I am not into paintings really… but I need to look this one out.
The paras you have outlined here are very beautiful, lovely.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:43:16 +0000

I can indulge in reading this book for sure. What amazes me is his critical thinking that led to his art works. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I’m sold on this one!

By: iliana

iliana — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:19:49 +0000

Melody – Starry Night is beautiful too isn’t it? I just love all of his art work really. Always have and this book just really helped me to understand a bit more about the real Vincent. I highly recommend it!
Kathleen – Tortured artist is right. Of course you can see that in his letters too but I really like that I came away with a broader view of the man.
Roxane – Completely agree with you! I think you’d really get a kick out of this book and especially when he goes on about why he didn’t like his painting of Night Cafe. He explains the use of green and why. I actually wish there had been even more of that!
Sandy – Just skip the memoir from the sister-in-law and this becomes very readable. It’s funny at first I thought oh to have had Theo’s letters – the full correspondence but really I don’t think it matters in the end. His letters are so full of emotions they are just so fascinating!
Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit) – Those are just gorgeous paintings aren’t they? Hope you’ll keep the book on your radar!
Stefanie – Thank you! I hope you’ll give the book a chance. Especially given that you love Van Gogh this is a must. I’ve always been fascinated by his paintings and this book just makes me appreciate them even more. I wish there was a museum around me with some of his work so I could go stare at it for a while.
Isabel – That’s a good point! I am actually going to look for a book of Van Gogh’s paintings. That’s one of my regrets of when we visited Amsterdam several years ago — not having gone to the Van Gogh Museum. I guess we’ll have to go again

By: Isabel

Isabel — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:49:39 +0000

Maybe the hardback has color reproductions?

Great find.

By: Stefanie

Stefanie — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:00:14 +0000

Thanks for writing such a wonderful review! I have been interested in reading Van Gogh’s letters for years but never got a round to it because I worried they might be dull. I am glad they are not and I will now have to make an effort to read them. I love Van Gogh. I think Starry Night is my favorite of his but I also love his Irises (which I have seen in person and it is so beautiful it made me cry) and his Sunflowers.

By: Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)

Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:52:47 +0000

I am so glad you loved this book..I’ve been thinking about picking it up for some time…I really love the Poppy Field and Starry Night, but I probably am like everyone else in that respect.

Great review.