by Sean Lawrence

Created on: April 08, 2008

Sometimes loneliness can be a damning thing, but its alienation is a catalyst for brilliance. Van Gogh's paintings are brilliant - the works consist of giant emotive swirls and strokes that strike ever so closely to the tumultuous feelings we experience in ourselves. He felt what we all feel, and the loneliness that existed throughout the course of his life combined with his sensitive sensibilities helped him to produce dark and raging works that speak of a soul living alone in a beautiful world. This was not a result of being insane, but of a strong dedication to life and his art. A dedication that took precedence over everything else.

Van Gogh's sanity is often questioned because of his actions. One can say that for anyone to shoot themselves in the gut, or to cut off their ear, they would have to be insane. Perhaps - but how many have not felt the same self denigrating urges, though in a different vein? The world if filled with beauty that cannot be expressed, and rare is the man who chooses to pursue the impractical means of learning an art so that others may see it. The artist is a noble man, someone who will be constantly tortured by his inability to capture it all. Their actions will seem strange, even a little crazy. Van Gogh is the perfect example of such a man.

His art did not come easy. Van Gogh was constantly striving for truth in everything he did. His early drawings consist of lines that some see as too harsh, and too rough. But as he continues to work, his drawings get better and more refined. He pushed himself, and his output was amazing. When he begins to paint, these rough edges show themselves again. Yet he continues to work, ignoring naysayers, constantly pursuing the urge to create. With the help of his loving brother Theo he sold one painting during his lifetime. One could only guess at the ecstasy Van Gogh felt after that accomplishment, but it was all too brief for a man so determined. To his death Van Gogh painted, unaware of the future popularity of his work.

If anything can be said about Van Gogh, it is that he truly lived, and he lived truly. He is an example to us all - both the brilliant and the not so brilliant, the insane and the sane. Do not easily dismiss a man as insane when his life's work speaks so brilliantly.

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