“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回复悄悄话
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
海岛冰轮2012-02-07 05:35:14回复悄悄话
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..."
点缀厉害哈,:)
回复米德1的评论:
这里的一切都那么美~~
谢谢。
回复点缀的评论:
回复泥巴的反馈:
哦,原来是这样啊。。。那谢谢你的雅量了。。。
素昧平生,上来就提看法,也是很唐突的。。。
感谢你的宽容。。。
我向来不成体统,嘻嘻,我是故意把我们那噶嗒的东北给混在这里的
你原谅我一下,:)。
回复点缀的评论:
我到了美国时间不短了,还是第一次听人把美东叫做东北。。。这个称谓既不准确,也不规范。如果真要使用东北这个词,新英格兰地区才属于美国的东北。费城所在的地区就是美东,至少包括DC,德拉瓦,新泽西,纽约市等。。。到了一个地方还是要入乡随俗,遵守约定俗成的好。在中国有东北,西北,西南等说。到了美国就是美东,美西,东岸,西安,中西部,南部等。。。这样交流起来概念就准确,表述就规范了,也就不会令人一头雾水、不知身在何处了。。。
以上仅是一个知无不言,完全出于善意。。。如有不妥之处,尚望海涵。。。
我也很喜欢那本书,我看得是中文翻译,翻译的很不错,等再读下英文的。
谢谢
回复carpediem的评论:
Here's a quote to share:
“There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.”― Vincent van Gogh
他at least tried to,我看了下他临死前给Theo的信,很sad,他传说中的死前最后一张画(七月,1890),黑色的鸟,仿佛显示了不祥。
但如果我没有记错的话(我现在在机场,网络很慢,所以懒得查了),他给他同名侄子画的Almond Blossom (1890)是一月份,那么蓝的天,那么纯简的花,很明快的心情,我以为。
祝好。
回复海岛冰轮的评论:
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..."
也谢谢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