Jun 21, 2001 12:15 PM
15576 Views
Lust for Life is biographical novel of Irving Stone. The dramatic life of Dutch Artist Vincent Van Gough is drawn by the author. This story is based on Van Gough’s three volume of letters to his brother Theo (1927-1930).
The story begins with romanticism of Van Gough at London with Ursula. He was then twenty one and in love for the first time. He thought that time he would be fortunate if he could eat breakfast opposite Ursula for the rest of the days. But it had tragic end. Ursula replied “Do I marry every man that falls love with me. Van Gough got title Red Headed Fool.
Van Gough’s next destination was Borinage , a coal mining region , in the south of Belgium. Petit Wesmes was the miners’ village. It could boast of one brick building , the home of Jean Baptist Danis.It was the house Vincent made his way .
He started sketching in Borinage coal mines where he simply wanted to record his first impression but his anatomy was all wrong, his proportions were grotesque and his drawing was so outlandish as to be funny. He wanted to copy an old woman carrying hot water on a wintry street. But he could not manage it. He started to enter the miners's hut carrying drawing paper and crayon. He sketched the children playing in the floor. He sketched Marcasse with its tall chimney , the black fields , the pine wood across the ravine, the peasants ploughing around Paturages but his new hunger was desire to talk with artists. This period he lived for days on dry breads .He was desperate need of money . His younger brother was art dealer. He send his drawing to know why his drawings did not sell. He wanted know how he can make them salable.
He went back from figure to his another love color. In Neunan he he painted half ripe corn fields were off a golden tune, ruddy and gold bronze, raised to maximum effect by contrast to broken cobalt tune of the sky.
Lastly tragic episode of Rachael. He wanted Racheal as model but he had not five Franc.
Instead of five Franc Racheal asked for his ear.
Yes, Vincent Van Gough cut his ear with razor and presented it to Racheal.
Vincent painted the birds above yellow field of corn and titled it Crows above a corn field.
Last page dramatic exit of Van Gough .After getting telegram from Gaachet he caught the first tran for Pontoise,then dashed in a carriage to Auvers.
“I am open a tiny gallery of my own , Vincent and my first exhibition will be a one man show. The complete works of Vincent Van Gough..”
Vincent turned his head slightly and whispered “I wish I could die now Theo”
In a few minutes he closed his eyes.Rousseau, Pere Tanguy, Aurier and Emile Bernard .Six of the men worked putting up the paintings in the wall. Theo stood alone by the coffin.
End of a life that refused to bow the convention.
