Van Gogh- Interior of the Restaurant Venissac in Arles, August 1888.
There is something intimate about painting I cannot explain to you – but it is so delightful just for expressing one’s feelings.
–Vincent van Gogh
I came across the above Van Gogh painting online yesterday. It was one of those pieces that I couldn’t recall ever seeing, even in the books with his collected works. It probably was in there somewhere but just didn’t register with me like it did yesterday.
I immediately liked this piece and just seeing it made me feel better in some small way. It was like stumbling across one more cookie when you thought the cookie jar was empty. You savor this newfound delight a bit more.
Or maybe it has to do with the intimacy that Van Gogh mentions above. He’s right, there is something intimate about painting. Every piece offers some small secret or aspect that comes from the mind and soul of the artist.
So, this morning I am greatly enjoying a morsel from Van Gogh. Not a bad way to spend a few minutes on a dark morning with torrential rain pounding the roof for the time being here in upstate NY.
Now, what’s old Van Gogh trying to tell me here?
Redtree Times 