“Vincent van Gogh to Wilhelmina van Gogh, from Arles, 16 September 1888
My dear sister, it is my belief that it is actually one's duty to paint the rich and magnificent aspects of nature. We need gaiety and happiness, hope and love.
The more ugly, old, mean, ill, poor I get, the more I want to take my revenge by producing a brilliant color, well arranged, resplendent. ”
Paint your palette blue and grey, Look out on a summer's day, With eyes that know the darkness in my soul. Shadows on the hills, Sketch the trees and the daffodils, Catch the breeze and the winter chills, In colors on the snowy linen land.
Now I understand what you tried to say to me, How you suffered for your sanity, How you tried to set them free. They would not listen, they did not know how. Perhaps they'll listen now.
Starry, starry night. Flaming flowers that brightly blaze, Swirling clouds in violet haze, Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue. Colors changing hue, morning fields of amber grain, Weathered faces lined in pain, Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.
Now I understand what you tried to say to me, How you suffered for your sanity, How you tried to set them free. They would not listen, they did not know how. Perhaps they'll listen now.
For they could not love you, But still your love was true. And when no hope was left in sight On that starry, starry night, You took your life, as lovers often do. But I could have told you, Vincent, This world was never meant for one As beautiful as you.
Starry, starry night. Portraits hung in empty halls, Frameless heads on nameless walls, With eyes that watch the world and can't forget. Like the strangers that you've met, The ragged men in ragged clothes, The silver thorn of bloody rose, Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow.
Now I think I know what you tried to say to me, How you suffered for your sanity, How you tried to set them free. They would not listen, they're not listening still. Perhaps they never will...
carpediem2012-02-07 09:28:43回複悄悄話
Thanks for sharing! I also liked Irving Stone's Lust for Life. It vividly depicts Vicent's frustration in art and life, and more importantly his love for nature and people.
Here's a quote to share:
“There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.”― Vincent van Gogh
海島冰輪2012-02-07 05:35:14回複悄悄話
My dear sister, it is my belief that it is actually one's duty to paint the rich and magnificent aspects of nature. We need gaiety and happiness, hope and love.
The more ugly, old, mean, ill, poor I get, the more I want to take my revenge by producing a brilliant color, well arranged, resplendent. ”
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Thank you for sharing. The above helped me to understand why Van Goh changed from his earlier style(grim, dark...) which reflects the struggling life of the poors, to "taking revenge of producing a brilliant colour..."
點綴厲害哈,:)
回複米德1的評論:
這裏的一切都那麽美~~
謝謝。
回複點綴的評論:
回複泥巴的反饋:
哦,原來是這樣啊。。。那謝謝你的雅量了。。。
素昧平生,上來就提看法,也是很唐突的。。。
感謝你的寬容。。。
我向來不成體統,嘻嘻,我是故意把我們那噶嗒的東北給混在這裏的
你原諒我一下,:)。
回複點綴的評論:
我到了美國時間不短了,還是第一次聽人把美東叫做東北。。。這個稱謂既不準確,也不規範。如果真要使用東北這個詞,新英格蘭地區才屬於美國的東北。費城所在的地區就是美東,至少包括DC,德拉瓦,新澤西,紐約市等。。。到了一個地方還是要入鄉隨俗,遵守約定俗成的好。在中國有東北,西北,西南等說。到了美國就是美東,美西,東岸,西安,中西部,南部等。。。這樣交流起來概念就準確,表述就規範了,也就不會令人一頭霧水、不知身在何處了。。。
以上僅是一個知無不言,完全出於善意。。。如有不妥之處,尚望海涵。。。
我也很喜歡那本書,我看得是中文翻譯,翻譯的很不錯,等再讀下英文的。
謝謝
回複carpediem的評論:
Here's a quote to share:
“There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.”― Vincent van Gogh
他at least tried to,我看了下他臨死前給Theo的信,很sad,他傳說中的死前最後一張畫(七月,1890),黑色的鳥,仿佛顯示了不祥。
但如果我沒有記錯的話(我現在在機場,網絡很慢,所以懶得查了),他給他同名侄子畫的Almond Blossom (1890)是一月份,那麽藍的天,那麽純簡的花,很明快的心情,我以為。
祝好。
回複海島冰輪的評論:
The more ugly, old, mean, ill, poor I get, the more I want to take my revenge by producing a brilliant color, well arranged, resplendent. ”
-----------
Thank you for sharing. The above helped me to understand why Van Goh changed from his earlier style(grim, dark...) which reflects the struggling life of the poors, to "taking revenge of producing a brilliant colour..."
也謝謝tiali及GARRYHALE,
Location:
Philadelphia Museum of Art, February 1–May 6, 2012
Dorrance Special Exhibition Galleries, first floor
http://www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/743.html
http://www.philamuseum.org/visit/12-534-421.html