Vincent van Gogh
Guess who's the birthday boy today? Yes, it's Vincent van Gogh!
"In the absence of another subject," Van Gogh frequently painted self-portraits. They are deeply introspective, offering a window into the artist's complex inner world and fluctuating mental state. Through these paintings, he experimented with color, light, and brushwork, pushing the boundaries of portraiture and expressing his emotional and psychological state. Van Gogh created over 30 self-portraits within just a few years.
During his time in Paris from 1886 to 1888, he adopted a lighter color palette inspired by the vivid hues favored by the Impressionists. He eventually chose to apply these lighter shades selectively, however, using them to convey specific emotional states. His period in Paris was marked by contentment, and this particular self-portrait, crafted in the summer of 1887, reflects a rare, almost cheerful demeanor in Van Gogh's expression.
P.S. On this occasion, all our Van Gogh products in the DailyArt Shop, including our amazing socks and prints, are on a -25% sale, as well as our Post-Impressionism 101 online course. Enjoy! :)
P.P.S. We all know (and love) Vincent van Gogh's iconic painting. But how well do you know his life? You can test yourself in our Van Gogh quiz! And for more art by Van Gogh, see the articles below!