Vincent van Gogh’s Reaper is a painting that, through very little realistic representation and a lack of action, evokes little emotion. The painting depicts a man tending to his field of wheat with a house in the background. The subject is simple to an extreme. Although the majority of the painting is made up of the natural environment it doesn’t seem to be glorified to any extent. The farmer too, doesn’t seem to be a man of any importance and is painted as such, in a very simple fashion with outline and limited detail. It is through this non-glorification that the viewer is left almost unable to care or feel anything toward this man or environment.
Also adding to this apathy is the unrealistic color and lighting. With a sky of green and mountains of blue it may be hard for viewers to place themselves in that environment. The absence of shadows, as well any sort of personal or specific features, leaves the painting dispassionate. While the composition is good, leading the viewer’s eye right to the farmer, it leaves your eyes wandering across the rest of the painting in a sort of lethargic indifference. Although the colors are bright, the indefinite style and shapes leave the scene looking almost childish making the painting feel ephemeral and therefore meaningless.
Good explanation and good tone.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that aside from the farmer there is little to view in this composition. Overall an effective review.
ReplyDeleteIt's the story behind this painting that gives it such life. Vincent had recently learned about his illness and said in a letter to his brother Theo he said that this is how he pictured death. It wasn't a gloomy and complicated vision of death, it's accepting and simple. That's why the simplicity and lack of emotion is so wonderful. It's full of emotion when you look at it right.
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