Artist I Dislike: Vincent van Gogh

An artist that I dislike is Vincent van Gogh because despite being one of the greatest and most influential artists of all time, his life and work have mainly been the subject of many controversies. Van Gogh, a Dutchman born on March 30, 1853, is renowned for his innovative and emotionally charged style, which used bright, primary colors to evoke a sense of motion and feeling (Avdeeva et al. 838). His works are considered landmarks of the Post-Impressionist era (838). Thus, it is impossible to deny van Gogh’s immense skill and influence, despite the highlighted controversies.

Early in his life, Van Gogh tried and failed at several other professions, including art dealer and missionary. Yet, in his late twenties, he found solace in painting and dedicated himself to it. Just one of van Gogh’s paintings was sold during his lifetime, but his distinctive technique and subject matter have since become widely admired. Typical motifs for Van Gogh’s paintings include landscapes, still, living arrangements, and portraits, all of which the artist gives a personal and colorful spin (Avdeeva et al. 847). His use of vibrant color and gestural brushwork was groundbreaking for his day, and he has subsequently risen to the top ranks of art world luminaries. The beauty and depth of feeling in his most well-known works like “The Starry Night” and “Sunflowers” have ensured they will forever be explored and appreciated.

Figure 1: Vincent van Gogh, Self-Portrait, 1887

Adapted from: https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/art-and-stories/stories/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-van-goghs-self-portraits

Controversies Surrounding Vincent van Gogh

Van Gogh’s reputation as an artist has been marred by many controversies, including accusations of violent behavior related to his mental health, questions of authenticity, concerns about sales and market value of his artworks, the romanticization of mental illness, and instances of appropriation and misappropriation. Much discussion and controversy have surrounded the possibility that Van Gogh was mentally ill throughout his life. Some have questioned whether his artwork should be appreciated or idealized in light of his pain, while proponents of the theory that his sickness fueled his creativity have pointed to the contrary (Dasgupta et al. 17). Following this contention, many believe that van Gogh’s mental health concerns color our interpretation of his work (18). In the eyes of his detractors, van Gogh’s life and art have been overly idealized, hiding the artist’s struggles with mental illness and the pain they caused him. Critics claim that by perpetuating the stereotype of the “tortured artist,” society has normalized and made light of the difficulties faced by those with mental illness (24). Because of his turbulent life and mental health issues, Vincent van Gogh is typically remembered as a tormented genius whom the general population misunderstood. His work has received much acclaim since his death, but its unique style and intense content knowledge have turned off many people. Avdeeva et al. (13) argue that romanticizing his mental health issues conflates his work with his life’s difficulties to prevent the spreading of negative preconceptions about mental illness. However, considering the sad events in his life and his mental illness, his work should not be discounted because of this. The hardships he endured gave his artworks a greater sense of depth and heart. Nonetheless, accusations of violent outbursts and other actions cast doubt on his sincerity as an artist.

Notwithstanding the claims of violent conduct attributed to van Gogh, some academics insist that the artist’s biography must be considered to understand his work properly. Experts infer that his outbursts may be attributed, at least in part, to his internal conflicts and mental health issues (Townsend and Freemantle 6). Because of this, people can recognize and value his work for what it is: a personal expression of his life. Nevertheless, many say his history of violence and its intensity should make us question his character and the quality of his work. To these people, his artwork is more likely to be seen as a manifestation of his disease than an accurate reflection of his creative skill.

Moreover, Van Gogh made many paintings, drawings, and sketches throughout his lifetime, and the validity of some of these works has been debated. Several of the paintings claimed by van Gogh are fakes or copies, while the authorship of other pieces has been hotly contested (Dasgupta et al. 12). Avdeeva et al. (858) contend that most of his paintings have sold for tens of millions of dollars, making them some of the most expensive artwork ever sold. Meanwhile, the exorbitant price charged for his work makes me wonder whether they are motivated more by speculation and excitement than by the piece’s actual aesthetic worth. From corporate copies on coffee mugs as well as t-shirts to special art appropriations by modern artists, Van Gogh’s artwork has served as the topic of many unlicensed reproductions and modifications (Townsend and Freemantle 8). Replicas and modifications of van Gogh’s paintings have been criticized by those who say they profit from the Dutch master’s name and reputation (9). Essentially, the controversies about van Gogh’s life and works illustrate our varying and frequently conflicting perspectives on art, mental illness, and cultural legacy. These controversies may be intense and even unpleasant, but they equally provide us with a chance to investigate and reevaluate our presuppositions about originality, authenticity, and the connection between art and culture.

The Rationale for Disliking Vincent van Gogh

Although I recognize van Gogh’s immense skill, I find his work unappealing since I prefer more realistic and detailed art. He captures a lot of feeling and action in his paintings, which I like, but his style is too disorganized. Besides, I find it challenging to appreciate his art because of the prevalence of negative subjects, such as mental illness and suicide. Admittedly, van Gogh’s problems affect how people interpret his paintings. Townsend and Freemantle (15) argue that his confirmed violent outbursts and other actions cast doubt on his credibility as an artist. Therefore,his art is lacking in technical competence and accuracy. For instance, he rushes through his work and uses garish, oversimplified color schemes. Besides, the subjects and settings in his paintings sometimes seem exaggerated or artificial.

Since Vincent van Gogh’s approach often deviated from the much more refined and realistic styles of his contemporaries, there is legitimate debate concerning his technical abilities as an artist. Nonetheless, his work’s emotional and psychological effect on viewers should not be overlooked. The raw intensity and powerful feelings shown in many of Van Gogh’s paintings are not easily captured by more conventional art-making (Avdeeva et al. 847). Even so, his creations have been lauded for their ability to convey meaning and for striking an emotional chord with viewers.

Van Gogh’s revolutionary use of strong colors and broad brushstrokes had a detrimental effect on the art community. His distinctive style, which was highly influenced by Japanese art, is said to have inspired many others and opened the door for new creative trends (Townsend and Freemantle 19). However, I find fault with van Gogh’s paintings since his color choices and brushwork were simplistic and unrefined. Therefore, I believe his work is overdone and only successful because of the artist’s unfortunate backstory. Consequently, many argue that van Gogh was not nearly as skilled as is often assumed and that the romanticization of the “tortured artist” is to blame for his work’s success (Dasgupta et al. 19). In this regard, it is undeniable to dispute the authenticity of his work and think that his issues have taken the spotlight away from more worthy performers.

Despite the controversies and his painting style, which is not to my liking, Vincent van Gogh’s work has had and will continue to have a significant effect on modern culture, inspiring numerous artists and spectators. His battles with mental health have served to normalize discussions about these issues in mainstream culture, and his legacy is an ongoing reminder of the value of creative freedom and individual expression. The cultural impact and lasting influence of his work cannot be disputed, despite legitimate criticisms of his technical abilities as an artist. I cannot deny van Gogh’s seminal influence on the creative and cultural spheres. Many artists and artistic movements have been directly or indirectly influenced by his singular approach to artistic expression, and his legacy lives on in the enduring popularity and critical acclaim of his work. There is little question that Van Gogh’s legacy will continue to significantly impact future generations of artists.

Works Cited

Avdeeva, Yuliya N., et al. “Architectural Space in the Paintings by Vincent van Gogh.” Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences, 2020, pp. 838-859.

Dasgupta, Soumit, et al. “Vincent Van Gogh and the elusive diagnosis of vestibular migraine.” Medical Hypotheses, vol. 159, 2022, p. 110747.

Townsend, Joyce H., and Rosie Freemantle. “Three works on paper by Vincent Van Gogh: technical study, display considerations and a conjectural colour reconstruction.” Journal of the Institute of Conservation, vol. 46, no. 1, 2023, pp. 3-22.

Van Gogh Museum. “Van Gogh’s Self-Portraits.” Van Gogh Museum, www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/art-and-stories/stories/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-van-goghs-self-portraits.

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