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The Vintage Book Addicts Blog

Art is for Everyone, Yes Even You...

June 08, 2020

reading vintage starry night

What is the definition of art?

Art is a mixed variety of activities in creating visual, performing artifacts, displaying the creator's inventive mind.  

Artists create emotionally and thought-evoking depictions to share their artwork with the public. Moving between Stone Age Art, Medieval Art, The Renaissance, and Contemporary Art has allowed many styles to develop and have lasting impressions of present-day artists. 

Art is not only expressed through paint and easel; figures, sculptures, public buildings, landscapes, oil, etc., add to the making of Art. Also, being in the nearness of Art adds to the valuable experience. 

"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." -Thomas Merton

Why is Art compelling? 

 Artists experience their world in the art they imagine. In most cases, artists keep their work hidden, never revealing the true meaning behind their work to deny comprehension. Instead, let you imagine what the artwork means as it relates to you and your experiences. This strategy works well in paintings.

Leonardo DaVinci's Mona Lisa

The most famous example is Leonardo DaVinci's Mona Lisa. Aside from the fact that it was stolen in 1911, Mona Lisa is renowned for its enigma.

The Artist adds mystery...

Who is the woman smiling in the painting? Was she a friend? A flame? She seems like she knows a secret. What is it? Some speculate she is Leonardo DaVinci as a lady. Could it be his cousin? Who knows? Who is she? Does this painting hold some secret code? 

Artists move in mysterious ways, always enthralling their audience and drawing them further to the curiosity of their work. 

Artist Spotlight: Vincent Van Gogh 

Vincent was one of those artists who expressed themselves primarily through their work and stayed rather peculiar and mysterious. His artwork reflected post-impressionist times using impasto. Impasto translates to "paste," meaning each brushstroke was defined clearly on canvas. 

Born in the Netherlands, Van Gogh grew up to become a Dutch post-impressionist painter who became the most influential painter to Western Art. Van Gogh taught at a Methodist church, devoting his life to his faith. After losing that job, he found his love in Art, which helped him stay balanced emotionally. 

Why was Van Gogh missing an ear?

One interesting fact about Vincent Van Gogh, he cut off his ear. Although many say it was an act to show affection, it was indeed to show his anger. After hearing the news of his brother marrying, Vincent cut off his ear and sent it to his brother and newfound wife. 

Van Gogh gave his sister Willemien this advice, "To be able to write, you would do better to make your life more intense and to aim higher rather than to study more, for you would then sooner be able to give the expression of your feelings in brush and pencil." 

Vincent was one of those artists who expressed themselves primarily through their work and stayed rather peculiar and mysterious. His artwork reflected post-impressionist times using impasto. Impasto translates to "paste," meaning each brushstroke was defined clearly on canvas. 

"For my part, I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream." -Vincent Van Gogh

The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gough

Its meaning can be analyzed through these elements. First, take note of the structure and colors especially. 

In many of Van Gogh's paintings, he would portray these forms to implement the "mad genius" within him. However, defining a mental illness was challenging to understand due to artists living at a time before a psychiatric diagnosis was available.

Detroit Institute of Arts Events

 Prestigious institutions like the Detroit Institute of Arts and Flint Institute of Arts hold profound artists like Van Gough and Kandinsky. In fact, in the summer of 2020, Michigan will exclusively be the only place to exhibit Vincent Van Gogh's art introduction to the United States between June and September 2020.

 Fun Fact

The Detroit Institute of Arts was the first to buy and display Van Gough within its collection. Van Gogh in America will be shown from October 2, 2022- January 22, 2023.

Art Appreciation

Art is meant to activate thought and communication between people. Museums provide a great way to experience Art with friends and family positively. So take a friend to a Museum, soak it all in, discuss the artwork, grow together.

 "It has been said that art is a tryst, for in the joy of it, maker and beholder meet."― Kojiro Tomita

Why books on the subject of Art are important

Many people think that they have to be an artist in order to appreciate art. However, this is not true.

Art appreciation is about understanding and appreciating the different styles and techniques of artists. There are many ways to appreciate art, but one of the best ways is by reading an art book. 

Books about Art became particularly important in the 19th century today. Browse our many vintage art books and learn something new and expand your mind.

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Have you ever come across an old book at a garage sale and wondered how much it was worth? There are many ways to find the value of an old book. You will find the information here valuable. 

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Reading a book allows us to transport ourselves to another world, learn new things, and escape reality. Now your passion for books and reading can help the environment.

I hope you enjoyed and learned something from this article; I know I did.

Happy reading, Pam of Reading Vintage

 



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