Vincent Van Gogh: 1853-1890 : Vision and Reality (Basic Series : Art) (Paperback)

by Ingo F. Walther (Author), Vincent Van Gogh (Author) "Vincent van Gogh was the son of a Dutch pastor, Theodorus van Gogh, and his wife,..." (more)
Key Phrases: potato eaters, yellow house, reed pen, The Hague, New York, Saint-Paul Hospital (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This is an illustrated study of Vincent Van Gogh, one of the great forerunners of 20th century painting. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

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Product Details

• Paperback: 95 pages
• Publisher: Benedikt Taschen Verlag (June 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3822896306
• ISBN-13: 978-3822896303
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,595,183 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A novice liked it, June 23, 2000

By	Kevin W. Parker (Greenbelt, MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Vincent Van Gogh: 1853-1890 (Big Art Series) (Hardcover)

I spotted this book and, having been impressed by the Van Gogh exhibit at the National Gallery last year, decided to check it out. (That being said, I know very little about art and seldom read about it, so this review should be taken in that light.)

Van Gogh was an amazingly prolific painter. His artistic career lasted scarcely ten years, but in that time he created enough paintings to decorate nearly every page of this 250-page book - and those aren't even all of them.

The book itself is a combination of a biography and an analysis of his paintings. This flows smoothly, perhaps because Van Gogh put so much of himself into his art: his moods are clear from what he depicted and how he depicted it.

The biographical portion makes for interesting reading in and of itself. Van Gogh actually came rather late to art after failing at other occupations, including that of a minister. Once he turns to art, he is almost immediately remarkably capable. Later on, he attempts to set up an artistic community in his famous "yellow house," with the help of Gaugain. It's a collaboration that fails disastrously, with Gaugain leaving and Van Gogh cutting off his earlobe. Van Gogh has a difficult time psychologically for a few years, then, when it seems he has finally turned things around, goes out and shoots himself. The authors suggest it's due to his believe that a dead artist is more valued than a live one, a strange but possibly true premise.

The analysis of the paintings, comfortably intertwined with the biographical information, are interesting as well, at least to someone like me who only barely understands painting. While the analysis occasionally descends into what is to me artsy gobbledegook, by and large the comments are incisive and point out the distinctive qualities of each painting and how it relates to his other work. The tone is positive and descriptive, which I liked. I could easily have imagined a much more critical approach or a tone that indicated this is the way to look at this painting. But the authors fall into neither trap.

So this artistic novice, at least, found this to be an excellent book about a great artist. Recommended for all those with an interest in the subject.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD THE COMPLETE PAINTING THIS IS FOR YOU, May 20, 2000

By	luca cippone (Italy (Milan)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vincent Van Gogh: 1853-1890 (Big Art Series) (Hardcover)

I purchased this book not being aware of the complete painting book but if I knew about the other one ( complete painting ) I probably would have chose that book for sure ! Anyway, as a second choise this is a great value book . The picture are beautifull and the text is full of detail about Van Gogh's life that is exceeded only by the Letter to Theo book published by Penguin. Well,now that you know my opinion, order this book if you are tight with money; other wise you may consider the complete painting if the quality of the picture and the text is as good as this book. Ciao