It is July 1890 as thirty-seven-year old Vincent van Gogh prepares for his last destination. Soon he plans to leave his tormented earthly life and move forward to a more peaceful place. After Vincent dons his usual paint-splattered clothes and leaves several still-wet canvases behind in his cluttered room, he lovingly places his paint box and easel next to a garden wall, where he hopes someone will find them one day. As he revisits sites he has pained, Vincent touches the metal barrel of the borrowed pistol he has tucked secretly into his jacket while reflecting on his episodes of madness, his embarrassing seizures, and his less than ideal relationship with his brother, Theo. Finally while the malnourished and selfcondemned artist climbs a steep road above the rural lands of France to carry out his scheduled plan before nightfall, his destiny waits. Will Vincent have the courage to carry out his final act, and if so, what will be its consequences? In this poignant tale, the imagined last thirty-six hours of the renowned artist play out in fascinating detail as he finally takes control of his tortured existence on Earth.
A definitive resource, full of fresh insights and new revelations, on one of the most influential interwar artists This richly illustrated book offers a definitive new assessment of the oeuvre of Kurt Schwitters (1887-1948), a central figure of the interwar European avant-garde. Active as an artist, designer, publisher, performer, critic, poet, and playwright, Schwitters is best known for intimately scaled, materially rich collages and assemblages made from found objects--often refuse--that the artist described as having lost all contact with their role and history in the world at large. Considering works reaching from Schwitters's earliest collage-based pieces of 1918-19, through his 1920s advertising designs, to his seminal environmental installation the Merzbau, Graham Bader carefully unpacks the meaning behind such projects and sheds new light on the tumultuous historical conditions in which they were made. In the process, he reveals a new Schwitters--aesthetically committed and politically astute--for our time. This authoritative account reframes our understanding of Schwitters's multifaceted artistic practice and explores the complex entwinement of art, politics, and history in the modern period.
Van Gogh: a poor Artist? Van Gogh and Money focuses on Vincent's financial situation. Known as the ultimate embodiment of the notion of the "poor artist", Vincent was largely unable to sell his work during his lifetime. The letters between Vincent and his brother Theo tell of an eternal lack of money, and the difficulties this created when it came to practising his art. Paint, canvases and models were, as he discovered, not cheap. He was, however, more than happy to sacrifice his physical wellbeing in the interest of producing his masterpieces. Van Gogh and Money follows Vincent during two critical periods of his artistic career, his time spent in The Hague and Arles. At both stages, he was supported by his brother Theo, who sent him a monthly allowance that never seemed sufficient. This dependency on his brother caused Vincent immense guilt. From his letters we get a good insight into Vincent's financial affairs, since the brothers' correspondence often touched on the subject of money. This book presents a more nuanced view of Vincent as the impoverished artist, as Van Gogh was in fact in a rather fortunate position compared to many of his peers. Regardless of the actual amount of money he received from his brother, it becomes clear that Vincent was poor in the light of his ambition. By reading this publication, we hope that you will be able to better appreciate and understand Vincent's work by shedding light on the man behind the iconic paintings. Van Gogh and Money combines enlightening quotations from archival material with an entertaining and easy-to-read format, staying clear of jargon. Van Gogh and Money is part of the series Secrets of Van Gogh (www.secretsofvangogh.com) Secrets of Van Gogh 1: The 1-Hour Van Gogh Book Secrets of Van Gogh 2: Van Gogh's Inner Struggle: Life, Work and Mental Illness Secrets of Van Gogh 3: Van Gogh Today - Short Stories Secrets of Van Gogh 4: Van Gogh and Love Secrets of Van Gogh 5: Van Gogh and Money
This unique book provides an accessible introduction to both the scientific background and the key people involved in the discovery and use of radiation and radioactivity. It begins by providing a short history of radiation exposures and radiation poisoning; from the early inappropriate use of X-rays and radium cures through the misadventures of the Manhattan Project and the Chernobyl disaster, to the high-profile and deliberate poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in London with polonium-210, which gave rise to worldwide media attention. The chapters provide a catalogue of deliberate criminal acts, unfortunate accidents, and inadvertent radiation exposures, exploring well-known events in detail, as well as some not so well-known occurrences. It works through the topics by focusing on human stories and events and their biological impact. In addition, it covers descriptions of the beneficial uses of radiation and radioactivity. This book can be enjoyed by any reader with a general interest in science, as well as by students and professionals within the scientific and medical communities. Key features Authored by a subject area specialist who has worked in both clinical practice and academia and was involved with the national media following incidents of national and international importance Provides a unique human perspective into well-known and some lesser known events and a concise history of the discovery of radiation and the events that followed Adds scientific and medical background to a subject of high media interest
As a five year old I encountered a picture of a young man in a rakish hat and a yellow coat, on the wall of a large classroom. There was something instantly intriguing about the image, but it was also puzzling because it represented neither politician nor prince, the usual fare for Australian school decorations. I was eventually told that this was a reproduction of a painting, the artist was Vincent van Gogh, and that the subject was some young Frenchman. On special days we assembled in that room and during the next several years I found myself gazing beyond visiting speakers at the fellow in the yellow jacket. It was almost another fifty years before I felt properly conversant with the portrait and realized that van Gogh's subject, Armand Roulin, was seventeen at the time ofthe original painting and had died at seventy-four during my schoolboy contemplations. In the interim my enjoyment of the works of the Impressionists and Post Impressionists had grown and I occasionally ran into the name of Dr. Gachet, Vincent's last attending physician, in books and catalog essays. The doctor was my entree to the overlapping charms of medical and art histories. In 1987 I had the good fortune to participate as a biochemist in the centenary celebration of the Pasteur Institut in Paris.
A captivating and definitive account of the final days of Van Gogh's life and the incredible story of what followed. Divided into three parts, the book first examines the eventful days from the artists’ departure from the asylum in Saint-Remy and arrival in Auvers until the shooting which brought his life to an end. During this time Van Gogh completed 70 paintings in 70 days. The second part delves deeper into the story of the artist’s death, which has intrigued both experts and the public for years, revealing little-known stories and uncovering overlooked accounts. We then follow the story of how Van Gogh subsequently rose from relative obscurity to international renown and ultimately fame as one of the most recognisable and popular artists in the world. Leading Van Gogh specialist Martin Bailey writes with insight and intelligence, bringing these fateful days to life with colour and character as well as historical expertise, capturing the real sense of a tragic but meaningful life truly lived.
Vincent Van Gogh once wrote when his paintings weren't selling; ‘I cannot help it that my paintings do not sell. The time will come when people will see that they are worth more than the price of the paint.’ I wish they would take me as I am. - Vincent Van Gogh. Jean-Paul Sartre voiced, if victory is told in detail, one can no longer distinguish it from a defeat. What we all want from life! That's the question we should ask ourselves every day as when we earn all the wealth and prosperity of this world then we try focusing on our soul satisfaction but how ravishing it would be if we felt peaceful even in the devastating storm! That even if everything is getting apart and broken around you but a deep solitude is having a permanent home in your soul; and you are so lost that you have no other desires and greed to make you feel satisfied. Vincent William Van Gogh, a Dutch Post-Impressionist Painter, is the most famous and influential figure in the history of modern art but inside he was just a broken artist, combating everything in agony & loneliness but improving himself with his actions. Most people are aware of this genius personality but he held a deep gloominess in his heart. While researching, I asked myself multiple times, Vincent Van Gogh died penniless, in depression, agony, in asylum, & intense loneliness but without any support, food or love, he created the marvellous paintings of all time; so what made him go for so long. Have you ever thought about whether destiny really exists or not? Everything is uncertain then what is fixed. What truly made him Vincent Van Gogh even despite everything that was against him, he created his world's best work even with nothing and we are still complaining because we don't have perfect resources for our work. What made him genius! What fortune he created even with nothing! That's astounding and loving to know! Our research was on Vincent Van Gogh because when everyone is blaming they have less resources, Vincent carved his fortune with nothing and what he weaved in his heart, is a matter of secret to be opened to the entire world and that's a proud moment because if he could accomplish perfection with nothing then why we can’t even with something. Time is an illusion as it makes you realise you have more and you have it but you don't have it until you claim it by utilizing it well. It's damn true and practical that everything is out of control, except your soul. So, if everything around is a mess and you are still at tranquillity then you are with your soul. Your profession is not what brings home your weekly pay check, your profession is. What you're put here on earth to do, with such passion and such intensity that it becomes spiritual in calling. - Vincent Van Gogh.
Quirky facts to answer a diverse array of some of life’s big questions from why do couples split up to why do Americans celebrate Groundhog’s Day. Why do mosquitos love to bite us so much? Why does baseball have a seven-inning stretch? And why do some countries drive on the left of the road? Get the details and data needed to answer an incredible range of questions, from everyday queries to philosophical conundrums. Why do . . . . . . we have standardized measurements? It was King Edward I of England, not a mathmatician, who set a standard of accuracy in certain trades. . . . we wear neckties? Neckties proclaim status, occupation, and identity, dating back to Roman times when orators wore them to keep their vocal cords warm. . . . brides wear wedding rings on the fourth finger of the left hand? For centuries, people believes the vein in that finger went directly to the heart.
Who killed Napoleon? Were the witches of Salem high on LSD? What do maggots on a body tell us about the time of death? In his unique, engaging style, Brian Kaye tells the story of some spectacular cases in which forensic evidence played a key role. You'll also read about the fascinating ways in which scientific evidence can be used to establish guilt or innocence in today's courtroom. The use of voice analysis, methods for developing fingerprints and for uncovering art forgeries, and the examination of bullet wounds are just a few topics considered. In a special section on fraud, the author takes you into the world of counterfeit money. There's no solving crime without science. Written for everyone interested in whodunnits, this book explains the basis of the analytical techniques available for studying evidence in offenses ranging from doping in sports to first-degree murder.
Cutting through the fog of jargon and theories that can make art seem hopelessly remote, The Annotated Mona Lisa demystifies art history. It's a brisk, clearly stated survey, from cave painting to conceptual art, that doesn't talk down to its reader and doesn't assume a prior art education. Dynamic design, page-length essays, frequent sidebars, and abundant illustrations make this compendium a browser's delight. 300 illustrations, one third in color.
