Vincent Van Gogh, who died at 37 in 1890 had one of the briefest careers in art history.
It spanned only 10 years and of these , the first 4 years were devoted to mainly drawing.
The volume of his output is astonishing. Close to 1,700 of his works survive, almost 900 drawings and more than 800 paintings, made in volcanic outbursts of creation that sometimes saw him produce a canvas a day for weeks on end. He produced over 40 self portraits.
However during his lifetime he sold only one painting for the equivalent of $80.00 and among his last words were “what’s the use”?
He is now ranked as one of the founding fathers of modern art.
The World of Van Gogh, Time Life Library p.7
I have empathy with Vincent when comes to the question of “what’s the use”? In my own drive to paint, I have asked that same question of myself many times. Sometimes it seems like such a silly thing to spend my time doing and other times it seems like it’s what keeps me getting up in the morning and giving my life more meaning.
This self-portrait was his first and shows the influence of the Dutch painters. A rather lovely portrait in my view.
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