Art History Speaker, Carol Ehlers will present "Van Gogh: Nature and the South Arles and Saint Remy, 1888-1890" on November 19, 2015. The lecture will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. in the Muscatine Art Center's Music Room. The lecture will feature images of Vincent van Gogh's work as well as photos from his life from 1888 to 1890. The lecture is FREE and open to the public.
Vincent van Gogh, celebrated painter, has a lifelong fascination with nature. While in Holland, he spent his youth in the country and his work would feature the birds, trees, and garden. While in Paris, he is exposed to the radical thinking of Impressionism and continues his collection of Japanese art. The art talk will focus on Vincent's time at Arles and the asylum, Saint Rémy, France from 1888-1890.
On February, 1888, Vincent moved from Paris to the Provencal town of Arles. The talk using images will focus on the natural elements. It is the blossoming trees; wheat fields; sunflowers; cypress trees; olive trees; gardens of the public, hospital, and asylum and beautiful still life flora that provide the subjects for some of his most recognized artwork. The program presents artwork showing the beauty of the country side and gardens versus portraits of Arles.
It is in Arles that Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin will create the "Studio of the South" The art talk will include details on how the sunflower series ties in with Paul Gauguin and information about their lives together while in Arles. Learn thru the letters of Vincent to his brother, Theo van Gogh how he wanted the Sunflowers display and why he repeated some of the original flowers.
May of 1889, Vincent admitted himself as a voluntary patient to the asylum of Saint Paul-de-Mausole in Saint Rémy de Provence, north east of Arles. Although he had access to the outside country side, he will focus on the gardens of the asylum. In the first month, he will produced Irises, 1889. Later in June of 1889, Vincent produced the highly charged and recognized work, Starry Night, 1889. His artwork, later documents the harvest and picking of olives.
In May, 1890, just before he checked himself out of the asylum and went back north, Vincent painted four exuberant bouquets of spring flowers: two of irises, two of roses, with contrasting colors and formats. They are among his largest and most beautiful still lives.
Vincent van Gogh drew much comfort from the beauty of nature. He believed the countryside was a sanctuary of health. Vincent's artwork during 1888-1889, provides a testament to his unwavering faith in nature and the arts.
EVENT DETAILS:
What: "Van Gogh: Nature and the South Arles and Saint Remy, 1888-1890"
Who: Carol Ehlers
When: Third Thursday, November 19
Time: 5:30 PM
Where: Muscatine Art Center Music Room
Admission to this lecture is FREE.
Please contact Melanie Alexander, Director, with any questions or concerns at 563-263-8282 or by email at malexander@muscatineiowa.gov .
The Muscatine Art Center is located at 1314 Mulberry Avenue in Muscatine, Iowa. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday evenings until 7:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. Go to www.muscatineartcenter.org for more information about programs and events and to download a class brochure.
