The works of Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) are as recognizable to people around the world as his life was obscure. Born in the middle of the 19th century in The Netherlands, Van Gogh would complete approximately 900 paintings and more than a thousand sketches and drawings by the time of his death at age thirty-seven. Remarkably, all of his artwork was done in the last decade of his life..
At the tender age of twenty-four, Van Gogh studied theology in Amsterdam. Whether he truly wanted to undertake a career in the ministry or viewed the ministry more as a refuge from the harsher world of Dutch finance or farming is somewhat in question. However, his Christian convictions seemed quite genuine - perhaps too genuine for the comfort of the ranking members of the clergy. After reading the New Testament, Van Gogh sought to emulate the asceticism of Jesus by having few possessions and sleeping on straw behind the home of a baker. Rather than being praised for his 'imitation of Christ', the future artist was roundly chastised by his superiors. According to them, his minimalist lifestyle was an embarrassment. How could anyone respect a religious authority with no regard for the trappings of the church?
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Of course, Van Gogh was correct in his interpretation of Jesus' words and actions, but he had alienated himself from his fellow theologians. As a result, he chose another path, and it proved fortuitous not only for his career but also for the world of art over the next century.
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After working in various capacities within the artworld over the next few years, Van Gogh relocated to Paris in 1886. In the City of Light, he became acquainted with three of the French Impressionist masters: Gauguin, Pissarro and Monet. From their revolutionary conception of color, the seeds of Van Gogh's profound and prolific career in art were sown.
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As the Impressionists had the radical notion of creating art outside the studio, Van Gogh decided to move to Arles in the picturesque southern part of France two years later. It was there that he rendered his small room in a variety of indelible shapes and striking colors (see picture). His Bedroom in Arles (1888) went through three versions and has captured the imagination of art experts and appreciative dilettantes ever since.
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Of all the works produced by Van Gogh, perhaps none is more endearing. Bedroom in Arles is more than a novel approach to painting - it is a testament to the idea that true beauty can be achieved without dependence on material possessions. In that respect, Van Gogh's Bedroom in Arles can be considered a masterpiece of Christian art.
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J Roquen
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