Kingfisher by Vincent Van Gogh

By Thursday, April 13, 2017 ,

I have officially crossed Day 10 of the AtoZ Challenge and I am starting to feel a little burned out. Partly because I didn’t have a productive day today and also because these stupid French artists hated the alphabet ‘K’.

I seriously don’t know what it is - May be K isn’t a very used word in French language or may be they didn’t know about the power of K back then because there were no Ekta Kapoor and the Kardashians. 

Just when I was about to give up writing today, this very simple painting by Vincent Van Gogh came in front of me and I decided to write after all. 


About Kingfisher by Vincent Van Gogh


Unlike like the other paintings by the genius, this painting by Van Gogh has no deeper meaning. It is literally just a kingfisher painted as the main object. He painted this in Paris, in 1886, using a mounted Kingfisher, and drew everything else around it. 

He added the waterfront and the small grass on which the kingfisher is perched on. 

My thoughts about the painting

When I first looked at the painting and realized that a bright and vibrant bird like a kingfisher was painted with such muted colours, I was surprised it was Van Gogh’s work. The only thing convincing me were his signature quick brushstrokes.

But when I saw the year 1886, it became clear. This was the time when Van Gogh was still trying to perfect his skills. He was living in Paris and looking for inspiration. The most productive time of his life were the last two years he was alive (1888-1890).

So, here’s me, writing a rather mediocre post like Van Gogh’s Kingfisher and hoping I can get enough inspiration to write my own Starry Night some day.

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About the Author

I love Game of Thrones, walking my dog, eating burgers and spaghetti aglio olio. Also, I am always planning my next trip.

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23 comments

  1. Harvest Moon by Hand13 April 2017 at 03:14

    Your post grabbed my attention because I wrote about kingfishers today also. Thank you for finding the painting by Van Gogh. It is, like you said, not like his other work. It was interesting to learn more about through your writing.

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    Replies
    1. Ritika Tiwari14 April 2017 at 17:16

      Wow! I am heading over to your blog to read about your kingfisher :)

      Delete
  2. Andy Escaping13 April 2017 at 04:32

    It was nice to be introduced to kingfisher through your blog. I'd never seen this painting before.

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  3. Nilanjana Bose13 April 2017 at 05:24

    Van Gogh and the word mediocre shouldn't be in the same paragraph together. I've never seen this work by him before, nice to know! I am a fan. Of both. Kingfishers and Van Gogh. Not in that order.

    Great choice for Kayday!

    Nilanjana
    Madly-in-Verse

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  4. Lady In Read13 April 2017 at 06:24

    learning more each day - i had not seen this painting before as well.. LadyInRead@MyRandRSpace - For Day 13 of#UBC & #AtoZChallenge - My K Post

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  5. Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan13 April 2017 at 11:08

    I guess Van Gogh too moved up from this phase of his life :) A hint there for you too to be inspired now that you've crossed the dreaded 'K' :D

    Maggie McAndrew and Kylee McGrane: Real Life Princesses of Compassion

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  6. Unknown13 April 2017 at 14:31

    Kingfisher for me is really a bright and colorful bird. And Kingfisher by none other than Van Gogh being painted so dull was surprising! Your explanation helped me clear the mist. Thank you for enlightening...on a lighter note, I think next time when I will come across any painting, or say visit an exhibition of paintings, with your teachings through the series of posts... i will be in a better position to appreciate the art!
    ------------------------------------------------
    Anagha From Team MocktailMommies
    Collage Of Life

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    Replies
    1. Ritika Tiwari14 April 2017 at 17:18

      When Van Gogh was young, he tried a lot to replicate Remembrandt's works, may be that is where this came from

      Delete
  7. Amrita13 April 2017 at 20:41

    Interesting how honestly you wrote about your state in A to Z.All feeling the pressure. But you still wrote .The Kingfisher looks amazingly alive

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  8. Tina Basu14 April 2017 at 00:01

    seriously a grey kingfisher!!! But then again its in some other century! Yes as the third week is arriving I am getting overwhelmed too - but it shall pass don't worry - I have done the challenge twice from 2 blogs!! All the best
    Tina
    Twinkling Tina Cooks

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    Replies
    1. Ritika Tiwari14 April 2017 at 17:23

      Yes! May be Van Gogh was just feeling gloomy that day :)

      And thank you for the motivation!

      Delete
  9. Nick Wilford14 April 2017 at 04:48

    Didn't know this painting. I think there's just enough colour to make the kingfisher seem alive - even though it wasn't!

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    Replies
    1. Ritika Tiwari14 April 2017 at 17:24

      That's actually a very good point! May be Van Gogh really tried his best

      Delete
  10. Weekends in Maine14 April 2017 at 05:34

    I like the muted colors of the kingfisher in the painting. WeekendsInMaine

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  11. Mike14 April 2017 at 10:07

    sometimes simple is good, I like the painting

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  12. Unknown22 April 2017 at 12:46

    lovely painting!!!! #frameable :)

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