Still Life with Bible by Vincent van Gogh
Description: "Still Life with Bible" by Vincent van Gogh, painted in October 1885, is a deeply personal and symbolic work that reflects the artist's complex relationship with faith, family, and art. The composition features a large, open Bible resting on a table, accompanied by a small, yellow-bound book titled "La Joie de Vivre" ("The Joy of Life") by Émile Zola, a prominent French novelist of the time. The Bible, rendered in dark, somber tones of black and brown, is open to a page from the Book of Isaiah, a book often associated with suffering and consolation. In contrast, the smaller book, painted in vibrant yellow, suggests themes of modernity, humanism, and secular life.
The painting is often interpreted as a dialogue between tradition and modernity, spirituality and secularism. The Bible in the painting belonged to van Gogh's father, a Protestant pastor, and its presence reflects the religious upbringing and the values of van Gogh's family. The inclusion of Zola's book next to the Bible could symbolize van Gogh's departure from his family's religious convictions and his embrace of a more secular, artistic, and existential path. The stark contrast between the two books, in both size and color, highlights the tension between these two worlds.
Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890), a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter, created "Still Life with Bible" shortly after the death of his father, which adds a layer of personal significance to the painting. The work captures van Gogh's exploration of his own beliefs, the importance of spirituality, and his struggle to reconcile his upbringing with his evolving artistic vision.
Details:
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Location and Date Created: Nuenen, Netherlands, October 1885.
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Medium: Oil on canvas.
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Full Artwork Name: Still Life with Bible.
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Artwork Style: Post-Impressionism.
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Subject/Topic: A still life depicting an open Bible and a modern book, exploring themes of faith, family, and the conflict between religious tradition and contemporary thought.
