This is the from the blockbuster Van Gogh exhibition last year at the National Gallery:
I felt a bit embarrassed. 😔
I think Van Gogh would be shocked by what’s been done to his work.
His sunflowers motif were a lifelong, almost spiritual, expression of “gratitude” of being face to face with nature. E.g. see Gauguin’s depiction of Van Gogh’s magnum opus. The power of his art comes from his energy and excitement; and Van Gogh was a troubled soul.
Quite a lot of his paintings were done in an asylum, and it feels v. disrespectful to slap his face and works on tacky bags, jewelry, kitchen towels, tea matts, and everything else etc.
Van Gogh always wanted “validation” (esp. among the respectable Paris salons), but he certainly had a respect for art.
I get museums are strapped for cash, but is it too much? 🤔
It does feel jarring that the deeply personal vision behind Vincent van Gogh’s work, especially pieces like Sunflowers, can be reduced to mass-produced merchandise, raising a real question about where appreciation ends and commodification begins.
ReplyDeleteBut there again we have always sold our soul for the price of a pint. I think it is called capitalism.
ReplyDeleteIt's all tacky and I wouldn't buy any of it as a gift or for myself. What they sell by what you are showing does devalue his art, makes it cheap.
ReplyDeleteI have long thought this Liam. I agree with you.
ReplyDeleteApart from books and catalogues, I personally would not buy anything from a gallery gift shop. However that is not a reason to close gift shops or only sell authentic collectables.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree that what's on sale in gift shops devalues his art. If someone wants to buy a tacky Van Gogh mug, who shouldn't they? It doesn't stop them appreciating Van Gogh's artistry.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of people just want to have a small piece of the art that they see and this might be the only way they can do that.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the perceptive comments of thelma, nick, and Mary Kirkland! The only real obscenity here is that Van Gogh himself or his heirs never saw any financial success from his own genius but everybody and his dog can make a profit off it now.
ReplyDelete