Pictured is Van Gogh’s “Apricot Trees in Blossom.”

By Darla McCammon

The tortuous life of Vincent van Gogh is generally well-known, including his life in the Netherlands, where he remained in poverty and sold zero of his paintings during his lifetime. He was born in 1853 and his work in the post-impressionist era has a tremendous influence and is still notable today, garnering large monetary sales in today’s art market.

The painting “Apricot Trees in Blossom” was created in 1888 when he was about 35 years old. Some biographers believe he was in a nearby asylum when he made this painting along with his instantly recognizable “Starry Night.” The asylums allowed him to take paints and drawing materials outside to the nearby fields and orchards where he managed to create many of his fantastic works. He died by suicide in 1890, less than a year later. The sale of his “Portrait of Dr. Gachet” alone garnered $82.5 million in recent years. One wonders how he completed over 860 oil paintings and 1,300 works in other media such as watercolors while never selling a single one when he could have used the funds.

You might find his biography engrossing as he was always unlucky in love, unfortunate in trying to become a preacher, not successful in selling his art, and had to rely on his younger brother Theo for financial support most of his life. Theo also ran an art gallery but supposedly did not manage to sell any of the now-famous artworks while Van Gogh was alive. The main reason so many of his paintings have survived and are now in museums and held in high regard by collectors was thanks to Theo’s wife, who liked them and searched them out. You may come across the reason the miners in the impoverished area of southern Belgium called him “The Christ of the Coal Mines.”

Van Gogh was most balanced and steady during his times of painting scenes like the one represented by this spring painting. Painting and art are indeed good influences in many lives. Imagine this painting giving him wonderful relief and an enchanting view. Please enjoy this work of Van Gogh and next week we will bring you another spring view by a contemporary of the impressionists, Manet.

Upcoming and Current Events

• The Dean Jansen photography exhibit will be on display at Warsaw city Hall through May 31. Meet Jansen in person at the gallery from noon to 4 p.m. Friday, April 12.
• The Wagon Wheel Salon will feature the Al Disbro photography exhibit “Our Town” through April 29. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. There is no charge except during show performances.
• The Gallery at Rua will feature the RedBird Studio art exhibit through May 19. Cardinal Services proudly displays some incredible art work under mentor Timothy Young.
• The LAA studio has works by Paul Raimon, Kelly Shoemaker, and Stephanie McDairmant works on display. There will be a reception from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 13 at 302 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw.
• There will be a spring art competition at Lakeland Art Association. Pick up entry forms at the gallery. Call (574) 267-5568 for details. Paintings will be accepted from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 22.