The Meaning Behind
Painting is a form of art that allows us to express our imagination and bring our ideas and visualizations to life. In some cases, when we create a painting there is meaning to the art. This meaning or message can be made quite obvious; however, artists sometimes like to leave their paintings open to interpretation. They may create a painting that symbolizes or represents something meaningful to them, whether this artwork has a hidden meaning or is easily relatable. Below is collection of some the most famous paintings in the world, past and present that carry unusual and unique meanings.
Vincent Van Gogh, Portrait of Dr. Gachet
Vincent Van Gogh is well renowned for his famous art paintings.The portrait of Dr. Gachet is one of his best. To most of us, we would interpret the image as a fashionable old man waiting at a table, with a pair of books and a glass, filled with flowers. However, this is not the case. Believe it or not, there is a story behind. Once Van Gogh was released from an asylum, he was assigned as one of Dr. Gachet’s patients. He was under the supervision of the doctor, who had a keen interest and love for art. Shortly after he learned that the doctor was sicker than he was. He wrote to his brother having discovered the news, requesting a new doctor. However, after spending time with the doctor he began to change his mind. In a letter to his sister, he wrote.” I have found a true friend in Dr. Gachet, something like another brother, so much do we resemble each other physically and mentally.
Van Gogh decided to paint a portrait of Dr. Gachet, in which he painted two versions. After completing the painting, he wrote to his brother, ”I’ve done the portrait of M. Gachet with a melancholy expression, which might well seem like a grimace to those who see it. Later would he know, that his painting would become one of the most famous and expensive paintings of all time.
Pablo Picasso, The ‘Guernica’ Story
When it comes to paintings, there’s one name that always comes up. Notoriously known for his cubist style, Guernica is one of the best pieces of artwork around. In relation to the idea of pictures being open to interpretation, the picture is highly unique, unusual and may be interpreted in many different ways. However, Picasso did have a meaning behind the picture. This picture was created in memory of those who died and suffered during the Guernica bombing in 1937. Picasso illustrates the sufferings of humans, animals, and birds caused. The famous artwork now hangs in The Sofia Museum, in Spain.
Vincent Van Gogh, ‘Starry Night’
Starry Night is unquestionably one of the most popular and recognizable pieces of artwork out there. The painting was completed in 1889. It was inspired by a nice view outside a window, during the night. The compelling view convinced Van Gogh to create this painting. However, it’s amazing to this day, how the painting turned out, considering he painted Starry Night during the daytime. Once he completed the painting, he sent it to his brother Theo in Paris. Ongoing letters between the pair showed that Van Gogh wasn’t happy with the end product. I think it’s fair to say that we were more than happy with how the painting turned out.
Edvard Munch, ‘The Scream’
This rather peculiar painting is one of the most expensive paintings ever made. The Scream has attracted the attention of many people, leaving them amazed or scared. Like the paintings above, there’s a meaning and story behind how this painting began. One evening, Munch was walking through the city roads. He stopped for a moment and looked up at the sky. All he could see was the setting sun and clouds, which appeared to be a blood red color. He also stated that there was a faint creaking sound from under the city. He described the surroundings as if nature was screaming for something. From this, he went on to create ‘The Scream’, a painting with blood red clouds and screaming backgrounds. There were four versions produced of the painting and a couple of them hang in world-famous galleries.
Jackson Pollock, Number 5
Pollock is known, for being a violent expressionist, when it comes to art. His work tends to divide people into to two large groups, based on opinion. There’s a hand full of people that think he is the greatest con in history, by his disguising paint drippings as art, and those that think he was really untalented. However, there is a small percentage of people that genuinely believe that his work is worth paying for. The Number 5 is very much open to interpretation; however, it was thought to be inspired by a range of emotions.
Frida Kahlo, Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird
This is one of 55 self-portraits by Frida Kahlo. This particular self-portrait was prompted by her divorce. In 1929, Frida married fellow Mexican painter Diego Rivera. Their 10-year marriage was full of constant arguing, disagreeing and frequent infidelity. It is thought, that the thorn necklace around her neck represents the pain she was in, during their separation. The necklace can also be seen as a reference to Jesus’ crown of thorns, he wore, when crucified. The hummingbird tied to the necklace is believed to represent hope, during the dark times of her life.
Leonardo Da Vinci, the ‘Mona Lisa’ Story
This famous painting requires little introduction, known by many, Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting is one of the most recognized and highly praised paintings of all-time. The subject of the painting is believed to be Lisa Del Giocondo, wife of a wealthy businessman of that era. Da Vinci created the painting of Lisa and her husband when they moved into their new home, where they had a second child. There are still mixed opinions about the subject, with some people even convinced its Leonardo Da Vinci himself. The truth behind this painting still remains a mystery till this day. The Mona Lisa now hangs in the Louvre museum in Paris.
Everything is not what it seems; with each picture carrying a different meaning or story. Create a painting with a worthy meaning. As ‘’Painting is our silent poetry”
References:
“Edvard Munch’S “The Scream” With Pink Floyd’S “The Great Gig In The Sky” Come Together In A Funny Animation Video | Art-Sheep”. Art-sheep.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Oct. 2016.
“Number 5, 1948 By Jackson Pollock”. Jackson-pollock.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Oct. 2016.
“Self-Portrait With Thorn Necklace And Hummingbird, 1940, By Frida Kahlo”. Fridakahlo.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Oct. 2016.
“This Day In Art: The Anniversary Of Van Gogh’S Death And His Last Works Of Art”. Arts and Everyday Living. N.p., 2011. Web. 14 Oct. 2016.
