Monday, August 10, 2020
The Mystery Surrounding Van Gogh's Ear
Why did Van Gogh cut his ear off?
Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most well-known artists of modern times. With his famous painting, Starry Night, drawing thousands of tourists every year, Van Gogh’s fame has lasted throughout the years. Van Gogh’s personal life has been a focus of books, songs, tv shows, and movies. The most recent being the Oscar nominated Loving Vincent which was released in 2017. What makes Van Gogh so fascinating? Van Gogh’s life is an interesting one, which includes a mystery surrounding his famous ear cutting.
Van Gogh was born in Holland on March 30, 1853 to a religious family. He was a quiet and solitary child, though he did have a deep friendship with his younger brother Theo. Van Gogh had a troubled start, failing at several jobs and romances. He was an art dealer, teacher, a bookseller, a missionary, and a preacher. After being dismissed from the ministry, Van Gogh pursued art. In 1880 he began to work on his art, studying in Belgium where he was living at the time. Believing he had found his true calling, Van Gogh described his art to “give the wretched a brotherly message,” as he told his brother Theo. His first artworks were drawing and watercolors. He studied with a landscape painter, Anton Mauze. Over time Van Gogh developed his painting skills and moved into oil paint. Over the next few years, Van Gogh painted works of art focused around life of the common man. Around this time Van Gogh’s confidence in his art grew, and his very famous style began to emerge. Drawing inspiration from Paolo Veronese, Peter Paul Rubens, and Eugene Delacroix, he began to shift his color choices. He also was introduced to Japanese prints which he fell in love with and began to collect as well as use as inspiration.
In 1886, after being kicked out of the Antwerp Academy for not following directions in his art, he moved to Paris to live with his brother Theo. He met artists who would be the leaders of the Impressionist movement, Paul Gaugin, Camille Pissarro, and Georges Seurat. Van Gogh became enamored with Impressionism and its use of light and color and strove to match the style. His dark colors became bright, his brushstrokes became short, but it was something different from Impressionism. By 1888, the very famous style that has become synonymous with Van Gogh, emerged. It was also in that year that he left Paris to move to the French countryside. He began to paint some of his most famous works of art, including the only painting he ever sold; The Red Vineyard. Van Gogh decided to form a group of artists, a little community of painters who shared his vision, and invited several artists that he had become friends with. Gauguin moved to the house in October 1888. It was a disastrous affair that turned bloody.
Gaugin and Van Gogh had different views and temperaments that led to a rapid destruction of their relationship. The relationship came to a breaking point with the highly contested story of Van Gogh’s ear cutting. On Christmas Eve, 1888 Van Gogh and Gauguin argued. The most prominent story is that as they argued, Van Gogh took a razor and in a mental breakdown, threatened Gauguin with it before cutting his own ear off. Then he gave the wrapped ear as a present to a prostitute before going home to sleep. While this story is the most well know, is it really the case? One theory, made by German historians Hans Kaufmann and Rita Wildegans, is that Van Gogh was not the one to cut his ear, but it was Gauguin who cut it off during the argument. They go on to further say that Van Gogh fabricated the story to protect Gauguin from any wrong-doing. There are many references, Kaufmann and Wildegans claim, to a “pact of silence” by both artists to never speak of the instance. Gauguin even referred to Van Gogh as “a man with sealed lips.”
Another theory has less to do with Gauguin, and more to do with Theo, Van Gogh’s beloved brother. Theo was Van Gogh’s biggest supporter, providing emotional and financial support for Van Gogh’s artistic endeavors. An art expect, Martin Bailey, theorizes that it was the news of Theo’s engagement that sent Van Gogh over the edge. Theo and Jo Bonger were engaged in December. Bailey poses that Theo would have told Van Gogh, whom he was so close with, before he could find out about it from someone else. In a letter from Van Gogh in January, there is a mention of a letter on December 23rd, which Bailey says could have included the news of the engagement. Fearing that he was being replaced, and would no longer be supported emotionally or financially, Van Gogh broke down. The news was the spark, and the fight with Gauguin was the gasoline that brought the fire of the mutilation.
Still, there are other theories that it was more about Van Gogh’s medical problems, which have also been widely contested. Some say it was epilepsy, others say poisoning, alcoholism, bipolar disorder, or depression. While there are many theories, the real reason may never be known. Van Gogh refused to talk about it telling his doctor that “it was a purely personal matter.” Unfortunately, the story followed Van Gogh around for the next few years, having made the papers. He checked himself into a metal institution in Saint-Remy, which is where he painted his famous painting Starry Night. Leaving the institute in 1890, Van Gogh shot himself two months later in July, though the shot did not kill him. He died two days later in a hospital. The life of Van Gogh is a sad one, with many parts of it still shrouded in mystery with his image of the quintessential tortured artist persisting across all mystery and debate.
Sources:
Gaugin and Van Gogh had different views and temperaments that led to a rapid destruction of their relationship. The relationship came to a breaking point with the highly contested story of Van Gogh’s ear cutting. On Christmas Eve, 1888 Van Gogh and Gauguin argued. The most prominent story is that as they argued, Van Gogh took a razor and in a mental breakdown, threatened Gauguin with it before cutting his own ear off. Then he gave the wrapped ear as a present to a prostitute before going home to sleep. While this story is the most well know, is it really the case? One theory, made by German historians Hans Kaufmann and Rita Wildegans, is that Van Gogh was not the one to cut his ear, but it was Gauguin who cut it off during the argument. They go on to further say that Van Gogh fabricated the story to protect Gauguin from any wrong-doing. There are many references, Kaufmann and Wildegans claim, to a “pact of silence” by both artists to never speak of the instance. Gauguin even referred to Van Gogh as “a man with sealed lips.”
Another theory has less to do with Gauguin, and more to do with Theo, Van Gogh’s beloved brother. Theo was Van Gogh’s biggest supporter, providing emotional and financial support for Van Gogh’s artistic endeavors. An art expect, Martin Bailey, theorizes that it was the news of Theo’s engagement that sent Van Gogh over the edge. Theo and Jo Bonger were engaged in December. Bailey poses that Theo would have told Van Gogh, whom he was so close with, before he could find out about it from someone else. In a letter from Van Gogh in January, there is a mention of a letter on December 23rd, which Bailey says could have included the news of the engagement. Fearing that he was being replaced, and would no longer be supported emotionally or financially, Van Gogh broke down. The news was the spark, and the fight with Gauguin was the gasoline that brought the fire of the mutilation.
Still, there are other theories that it was more about Van Gogh’s medical problems, which have also been widely contested. Some say it was epilepsy, others say poisoning, alcoholism, bipolar disorder, or depression. While there are many theories, the real reason may never be known. Van Gogh refused to talk about it telling his doctor that “it was a purely personal matter.” Unfortunately, the story followed Van Gogh around for the next few years, having made the papers. He checked himself into a metal institution in Saint-Remy, which is where he painted his famous painting Starry Night. Leaving the institute in 1890, Van Gogh shot himself two months later in July, though the shot did not kill him. He died two days later in a hospital. The life of Van Gogh is a sad one, with many parts of it still shrouded in mystery with his image of the quintessential tortured artist persisting across all mystery and debate.
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vincent-van-Gogh
https://www.vincent-van-gogh-gallery.org/biography.html
https://www.vangoghgallery.com/misc/biography.html
https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/stories
http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=7506786&page=1
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/van-gogh-chops-off-ear
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/van-gogh-ear-slash-motive-trnd/index.html
https://www.vincent-van-gogh-gallery.org/biography.html
https://www.vangoghgallery.com/misc/biography.html
https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/stories
http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=7506786&page=1
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/van-gogh-chops-off-ear
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/van-gogh-ear-slash-motive-trnd/index.html
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
The Little Merrow
An Irish Retelling of The Little Mermaid
Connall was sitting on the beach with Alroy playing his fife when Alroy took off running. When he followed Alroy he came across a woman in a thin, tattered white dress. “Sorry miss, we didn’t mean to bother you.” As Connall looked, the face seemed familiar. “Have we met before?” The woman shook her head. “You look familiar…” As he thought he figured it out. She was the woman that saved him! “You’re her!” He exclaimed, “the one that saved me, what’s your name?” The woman touched her throat. “You can’t speak?” She nodded. “Oh…you can’t be her then. Where are you from?” Carra, at a loss for what to do vaguely motioned out to see. “The sea? Were you on a ship?” Carra nodded. “You poor thing, come on, I’ll help you.” Connall brought her to the palace where she was bathed and clothed by the servants. Carra was only supposed to stay a night, until the rest of her shipmates were found, but Connall was quickly taken by the woman, as was the rest of the palace. She was helpful, curious, and filled with such joy despite not a sound coming from her mouth. She was also a magnificent dancer; no one had ever seen such a dancer. Connall found himself telling her all about his life, his dreams, and his worries. Through hand gestures and writing Carra was able to speak, and through this they were able to have many long conversations. It was on her fifth day there that a princess came to visit from another kingdom. The king and queen had planned the meeting months before, a prospective wife for Connall. In one of their talks by the ocean Connall told Carra that he did not want to marry the princess. He was in love with the woman who had saved him. She had the most beautiful voice he had ever heard. He would not marry anyone but her. Carra’s heart leaped for joy as well as broke in half when she heard this. How could she show Connall she was that woman? The king and queen were very disappointed at their son’s rejection of the princess and pressed him to get married. When he told them about the woman, they were very upset. His father proclaimed it to be a merrow and Connall should forget her. The queen very quietly mentioned Carra, if he liked spending time with her so much, perhaps he could marry her. That planted a seed of an idea in his head that grew every time he was around her. It was her fourteenth day there when he felt himself quite in love with her. He brought her to the beach to tell her. He was about to proclaim his love to her when he heard the voice, the beautiful singing voice from that day on the beach. Before Carra could stop him, he ran off towards it. Carra followed, afraid for what was to come. There on the beach was a beautiful woman, who looked quite like Carra with her red hair, singing. “It’s you!” Connall exclaimed. “It is, I have been searching for you.” “As I have you.” Carra stared in horror at what was transpiring. Something was very wrong. “Come my love, come to me and proclaim your love,” she held out her hand. Connall took a step towards her, but looked back at Carra. Carra had tears in her eyes and silently pleaded with Connall not to go. He looked back at the woman. “Leave her. Come to me, it is me whom you love.” Connall once again took a step before stopping. “I…” he started, his conflicting feelings warring inside of him. “You love me, not her.” The woman said, her voice taking a rough tone. “No.” Connall said forcefully, turning back to Carra. “Carra I…” Before he could finish, the woman had changed shape into a hideous serpent like creature. It lunged at Connall, Carra pointed and Connall turned just in time to dodge the poisonous fangs. Connall drew his sword and swung, cutting the serpent’s head clean off. As it fell it became the head of King Calbach. Carra gasped, and found her voice returned. “Connall,” she whispered. He turned at her voice. “You can speak.” “I was her, I was the woman.” Carra said. “It doesn’t matter my dear, I love you with or without a voice.” He proclaimed kissing her. With Connall and Carra’s wedding, peace was reached between the children of the water and children of the earth. No more did they have to fear each other. When they ascended to the throne after the king and queen passed, they were the most gracious rulers to have ever ruled. When Connall and Carra grew old, they walked into the ocean to never be seen again. It’s said that they are still alive today, and if you listen closely on a clear night you can hear the most beautiful voice singing, accompanied with the fife of her beloved.
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
Paranormal History of the White House
The Ghosts of the White House
With two hundred years since it was built, the White House has a very rich history. From housing past and present presidents, to drawing tourists in from all over, the White House is one of the symbols that defines the United States. The White House is one of the iconic buildings in America. With stately columns and a stark white façade, the White House is a sight to be seen. Housing 132 rooms over six floors, it’s no wonder those walls have produced some mysterious stories. With rumors of secret passages and secret bunkers, it’s no wonder that the White House has produced some paranormal stories. There is rumored to be not one ghost, but at least ten different ghosts roaming the halls of the famous house.
The majority of the rumored poltergists are members of presidential families. However, there is one ghost that was not connected to any president, but the land itself. David Burns was a Scotsman who owned part of the land that was bought to become Washington D.C., part of his plantation extended into the land that is now the White House. He passed away in his cottage that rested on the land and is now said to haunt the White House that he never really liked. Lillian Parks, a seamstress to the Presidents recorded a story of an instance when the phrase, “I’m Mr. Burns,” long and drawn out came from one of the rooms, with no speaker found.
The first residents of the White House, First Lady Abigail Adams, is said to still reside in the house. The East Room is said to be her favorite haunt. Moving into the house in 1800, John and Abigail Adams were the first family to live in the presidential house. The house wasn’t even finished when they moved in, and the house was very cold. When she was alive, Abigail Adams used the East Room to dry laundry as it was the warmest part of the house. Witnesses have claimed seeing her in her cap and shawl with arms out, carrying an invisible load of laundry.
Haunting the outside of the White House is another First Lady. Dolley Madison is said to protect the Rose Garden, her pride and joy. The story goes that when President Woodrow Wilson took office, his wife ordered the Rose Garden to be changed. When gardeners went to follow the order, they reportedly saw Dolley Madison’s ghost, and refused to work.
Another early member of the White House, President Andrew Jackson stayed in the house longer than his term. With several people reportedly hearing his swearing and his recognizable laugh. One of the most famous stories is that First Lady Mary Lincoln held a séance and said she heard him in the Rose Room, his old bedroom. He was swearing and stomping around the room in a terrible mood, in death as he was in life.
The youngest member of the ghostly members of the White House is a spirit referred to as the Thing. Given the nickname by Major Butt, from the Taft administration. The Thing was known for peering over shoulders. The ghost, seemingly a teenager, is unknown, but apparently frightened President Taft so badly that he forbad his staff to repeat anything about the mysterious spirit.
The most famous ghost of the White House is none other than President Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln’s stay in the White House was surrounded in the paranormal. First Lady Mary Lincoln was very involved in the supernatural after the death of their son. President Lincoln even recounted times where he saw his own death in a dream. He saw a double image of his face in his mirror. Even on the day he was killed he said “I have had a dream, the same dream that I have had three times before. I am in a boat, alone on an ocean. I have no oars, no rudder. I am in helpless. Adrift.” A dark foreshadowing of what was to come.
Many believe it was the shortness of his term that keeps him in the White House Several members of first families have reported seeing the former president. First Lady Grace Coolidge claimed to have seen him looking out a window. First Lady Bird Johnson said she felt him when she was watching a documentary about him. A visitor to the White House, Queen Wilhelmina heard a knock on her door and opened the door to find President Lincoln in his top hat waiting outside her door. The most famous story of President Lincoln’s ghost comes from Prime Minister Winston Churchill who emerged from the bathroom to see President Lincoln standing by the fireplace. After staring at each other, President Lincoln vanished. With so many different stories, it begs the question, who else could be lurking in the White House?
Sources:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
