Identification
My chosen piece of art work is the Almond Blossom whose artist is Vincent Van Gough. It is dated back in 1890, the medium is Oil on Canvas, the dimensions include 73.5cm * 92cm (28.9 in * 36 in), and its location is Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. The life of Vincent Van Gogh was full of new starts, changes of scenery, and the belief of things getting better. Most of the times he would start working on something new and believed that when it worked out, then things would get back into the right track. In the commencement of 1890, Theo, Vincent’s younger brother had a son. Van Gog was fascinated and riveted by the young born especially after he was named after him (Alparslan, 2018). When he moved to his new place in Arles, Van Gogh visualized a new world and a new age where artists lived in cohesion and painted together. When at the Saint Paul Sanctuary, he had a feeling that his life would get better after a year and be able to assume a happiness and success, and then with his nephew, he felt a new and refreshed life to be celebrated. Right after finding out about the successful delivery, he started on a canvas for the baby – Blossoming Almond Tree
Description
The painting constitutes large blossom branches which are against a blue sky. The large braches are covered by beautiful flowers which constitute a mixture of colors. The main branch is painted with fairly blue stripes while the sub-branches are singly painted with a uniform color ("Disputed painting revealed as a Van Gogh", 2012). Most of its flowers have already reached maturity while some are still on the budding stage. Generally, the almond tree seems to have been hit by drought by its now starting to get a life and it is flourishing.
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Analysis
The almond blossom can be appraised using a number of visual elements which substantiates the idea of art. To start with, it constitutes asymmetrical balance. Balance is basically the sense of stability that is realized through oblique weight of a body. And asymmetrical balance is when different types of elements craft an optical balance. In that sense, Vincent’s art work constitutes an almond on one corner balanced by a large area of bluish neutral color of the sky on the other side. The two sides and colors work collectively to institute balance in the general almond composition.
On the use of the element “Emphasis”, the almond seems to put more prominence on flowers than branches. Additionally, a conspicuous white color is much emphasized on flowers than any other part. However, in as much as visual elements are concerned, the dominating visual aspect is inclined on balance which is asymmetrically developed. Furthermore, the whole artwork is realistic since it depicts life forms, perspectives, and the particulars of light and color.
Interpretation
When watching the paint, one will admire and become fascinated by the artistic beauty that is distinctive of the artist’s painting. One would expect to be drawn by the ivory white blossoms. However, this is not the case. Rather, the attractive thing in this instance is the nubs and gnarls of the branches designed vivid with simple brush strokes.
The artwork provides a twisted and gnarled mind that has few specs of hope. Using simple brush strokes, the almond tree manages to capture the attention of the moment which is characterized with the birth of a nephew. The emotional experiences that had delimited the moment are presented by the meek brush strokes of the tree branches.
Another thing that is essential and is worth noting of, is the choice of colors. The art mixes green, black, pink, white, sepia and turquoise blue to provide a gloomy mood. In this case, the limited use of colors tables a rare painting style. In as much as the brush strokes that give life to the branches are engrossing, the amount of color used for them is also fascinating. The creative and arty use of colors ultimately gives out a model that is conspicuous and eye-catching. This is a clear indication of the expectations of the future. Vincent hoped for a luminous and a better future despite his plight. His newborn nephew was an indication of this future.
The paint also incorporates unusual regularity. In other words, the branches of the tree appear to be buoyant and to float in the sky and ultimately fade away into them. It is unclear whether they are set in a jug or are part of the almond. Additionally, the superficial part of the painting is packed with branches that are made visible with gloomy forms (Umer, 2017). This clearly illustrates the traditional influence and the effect of the country in which the painter comes from.
The use of “emphasis” especially when one element stands out more than the other such as more conspicuous flowers than branches, often tend to create a sense of significance and has been deliberately used to communicate a message. In the case of the almond blossom, the use of more conspicuous flowers and less visible branches is a clear indication of transformation. In other words, the dry braches indicate the initial hard life, while the blossoming conspicuous flowers represent the expected good life. And thus, they are in the process of transmuting from the initial problematic endeavors, to the future promising life.
Research
Vincent Willem Van Gogh was a Dutch painter who has remained to be one of the famous and prominent people in the history of western art. He was able to create design and develop more than 2,100 artworks and more than 860 oil paintings in only a decade. Most his works were completed just two years before his death. His work included, landscapes, portraits, still lives, and self-portraits. All of them are characterized with bold colors and dramatic, unwary and expressive brushwork that were the bases of modern art (Wolf & Schmidt, 1981). Van Gough died at the age of 37 as a result of suicide due to poverty and mental disorders. He suffered from psychotic episodes’ delusions and despite the fact that he was worried about his mental state. He abandoned the essentials of recovery. However, he made a reputation and a strong legacy which is being revered even today by artists
Value Judgment
Van Gough’s work on the “Almond blossom” is a congenial and likable piece of work especially to the lovers of art. I found it very captivating and emotional at the same time. It tends to give one a feeling that of hope for a better life and especially to those who have already despaired. These feelings are evoked by his color creativity and form in which he presents his work. The wrecked braches are a representation of misery and desolation. However, this misery is slowly turned into bliss and haven by the blue sky beyond the almond, and the blossoming flowers on the legless branches. This is what was in the mind of the artist and it is should be translated to the modern world since it source of inspiration to many. Furthermore, the piece provides much insight on subject matter and hence all lovers of art should strive to understand and interpret it in modern life. Ultimately, it is perfectly undeniable that the “Almond blossom” is inexhaustible since it sparks interests and it calls us again and again when we are desperate and anxious about life.
References
Alparslan, G. (2018). Intellectual and Formal Relationship between Vincent Van Gogh and Modern Painting. Ulakbilge Dergisi , 6 (21). doi: 10.7816/ulakbilge-06-21-06
Disputed painting revealed as a Van Gogh. (2012). New Scientist , 213 (2858), 7. doi: 10.1016/s0262-4079(12)60794-5
Umer, E. (2017). Visual Culture and Image in Paintings. Idil Journal Of Art And Language , 6 (33), 1535-1553. doi: 10.7816/idil-06-33-06
Wolf, C., & Schmidt, H. (1981). "Shall I Garnish a Metaphor with an Almond Blossom?". New German Critique , (23), 3. doi: 10.2307/487933
