Kingfisher by Vincent Van Gogh
By Ritika Tiwari Thursday, April 13, 2017 Art, AtoZChallenge
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).
23 comments
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.
ReplyDeleteWow! I am heading over to your blog to read about your kingfisher :)
DeleteIt was nice to be introduced to kingfisher through your blog. I'd never seen this painting before.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andy :)
DeleteVan 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.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice for Kayday!
Nilanjana
Madly-in-Verse
Haha, I guess that is true :)
Deletelearning more each day - i had not seen this painting before as well.. LadyInRead@MyRandRSpace - For Day 13 of#UBC & #AtoZChallenge - My K Post
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it :)
DeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteMaggie McAndrew and Kylee McGrane: Real Life Princesses of Compassion
I am trying my very best :)
DeleteKingfisher 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!
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Anagha From Team MocktailMommies
Collage Of Life
When Van Gogh was young, he tried a lot to replicate Remembrandt's works, may be that is where this came from
DeleteInteresting how honestly you wrote about your state in A to Z.All feeling the pressure. But you still wrote .The Kingfisher looks amazingly alive
ReplyDeleteThanks Amrita :)
Deleteseriously 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
ReplyDeleteTina
Twinkling Tina Cooks
Yes! May be Van Gogh was just feeling gloomy that day :)
DeleteAnd thank you for the motivation!
Didn't know this painting. I think there's just enough colour to make the kingfisher seem alive - even though it wasn't!
ReplyDeleteThat's actually a very good point! May be Van Gogh really tried his best
DeleteI like the muted colors of the kingfisher in the painting. WeekendsInMaine
ReplyDeletesometimes simple is good, I like the painting
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike!
Deletelovely painting!!!! #frameable :)
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