How Van Gogh transformed light into a map of the inner world
In short: Explore how Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries broke away from Impressionism to prioritize emotional truth over visual accuracy. This lecture examines Van Gogh's life, his public reputation, and his unique role in the evolution of modern art.
While Impressionism captured fleeting light, Post-Impressionism—a term coined by critic Roger Fry in 1910—marked a shift toward personal expression. The movement is defined by four major figures who extended the style in distinct directions: Paul Cézanne sought structural rigor, Georges Seurat applied scientific principles to color, and Paul Gauguin embraced imaginative subjects over nature.
Van Gogh occupied a unique space within this transition. Unlike Gauguin's rejection of nature or Seurat's scientific approach, Van Gogh continued to paint from nature but utilized highly personal brushwork and color. His work served as a direct conduit for his emotional responses and inner world, a legacy that continues to shape his public reputation today.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Post-Impressionism and Van Gogh | Modern Art History | Otis College of Art and Design
- Also: Post-impressionism | Tate
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