Why do you like Vincent Van Gogh's painting?

“I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.”

- Vincent Van Gogh

Pretty much says it all.

I like his work because the strong lines, color and texture evoke emotion in me when I look at them—as if the artist were directly speaking to me through visuals. I ‘get’ the farm paintings, sunflowers, the sky—I understand the chaos portrayed in his visual style. I also feel sad for him at the same time, a tortured soul, so it all evokes empathy too.

@josie-I do,and you can’t stop me.;)
@Chazmaz-I put my shirt and pants in the dryer and lost my socks in the process.What say you?lol!

Your socks are still under my bed. ;-)

I love Starry Night. It is beautiful! Mesmorizing. Captivating. Enchanting. Almost hypnotizing. Someday I’d like it to cover an entire wall in my house.

@Chaz MazLOL!-hey,I’m shuttin’ up now!

@josie-This is my favorite of his.I have seen it many times:)I love the color,technique and subject matter.It’s that simple
http://www.dia.org/the_collection/overview/viewobject.asp?objectid=46068

Which one?

Nebulous….

You can spend a long time staring at this. The colors, the shadows, even the perspectives and hints are tantalizing. I saw the original a few years ago; it is a very large painting.

http://ryanchoate.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/vangogh/vincent-van-gogh-night-cafe.jpg

I really like the colors and textures that he has. Also, he was kind of bonkers, almost admirably so.

There is a strength in Van Gogh’s paintings that draws me.

Even those who do not know much about art, like me, are drawn to the painting by the extreme emotions expressed. The paining The Scream has a similar effect.

I always liked Cypresses and Two Women
http://www.vangoghgallery.com/catalog/Painting/93/Cypresses-and-Two-Women.html

Strong lines, lines that move in space, lines that are fully alive.

It bothers me a lot that people “like his paintings” “because” he went mad. Amazingly cruel.

@susanc I agree with you, about the painting style and about what bothers you. It is a fact that there is something intriguing about Van Gogh” life, because we know how he struggled to find his niche in life, and his painting style, and that he became mentally ill. But it is too bad that in some cases this becomes the basis for being interested in his work. It doesn’t seem quite right to me that his illness would drive some to appreciate his painting, as if they might not find his work interesting had he been totally “normal”.

I actually love Van Gogh. Something about the art reminds me of my childhood. Especially “Cafe Terrace at Night.” It’s a feeling more than the aesthetic for me. Perhaps the colors? I’m not really sure. But most of his work gives me this feeling.

I was fortunate enough to see some of his work at MoMA, in NYC – the textures and colors are amazing. If you ever have a chance to see any of his work, in a museum, please do. You won’t regret it.