Two Crabs by Vincent Van Gogh
This is a fun piece by Van Gogh that I’ve had as my desktop background for awhile now. I love how he creates contrast with color compliments. Last semester we talked a little about how he paints subjects in pairs or opposites such as two cut sunflowers (another favorite) or these shoes.
How about you? Do you have a favorite Van Gogh you’d like to share?
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Friday Favorite posts are where I share paintings I like in an effort to identify what excites me and to establish a record of said excitement. To see more Friday Favorites, click here.
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Thanks for pointing that out mate, I hadn’t realised he’d done that! I wandered through the Van Gough museum when I was in Amsterdam, but I couldn’t name a favourite. I’d normally rely on things like the brush lines and the colours if I was hazarding a guess if it was him doing it in general.
I’m so jealous you got to go there! I checked out the museum online and see that they have a similar painting, “crab on it’s back” painted with a similar color scheme.
http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?page=2876&collection=1300&lang=en
These crabs are new to me. Is it unusual for him to paint animals and especially crabs. I love his wild and colorful paintings of flowers, haystacks and people. Thanks for sharing your learning adventures.
It is an unusual subject for him. He painted these in 1889 which would be while he was in Arles. According to the National Gallery they think he painted them when he got out of the hospital. Van Gogh loved Japanese art and it’s possible he was inspired by a woodcut by Hokusai called “crabs”.
http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/vincent-van-gogh-two-crabs
Thanks for the info. That is interesting
Happy Easter & thank you for this Van Gogh class. I see an aggitated crab and the other passing by, saying “Don’t make such a fuss”.
Haha – I like your interpretation. Sorry for the late reply. I hope you and your family had a wonderful Easter!