Four Old Masters Who Shaped Van Gogh's Distinctive Style
The distinctive style of Vincent van Gogh was significantly influenced by four renowned artists: Rembrandt van Rijn, Jean-François Millet, Eugène Delacroix, and Adolphe Monticelli. Van Gogh's 'Still Life with Bible' (1885) and 'The Raising of Lazarus' (1890) reflect Rembrandt's rapid painting methods. Millet's emphasis on rural life is evident in 'The Potato Eaters' (1885) and 'The Sower' (1888). The use of complementary colors by Delacroix inspired Van Gogh's summer 1886 flower still lifes and 'Pietà (after Delacroix)' (1889). Monticelli's impasto technique can be seen in 'Vase with Chinese Asters and Gladioli' (1886) and the 'Sunflowers' series (1888-89). His time in Paris (1886-1888) was pivotal, influenced by Japanese prints and contemporaries like Emile Bernard and Paul Gauguin.
Key facts
- Van Gogh's style was influenced by Rembrandt, Millet, Delacroix, and Monticelli.
- In 1885, Van Gogh visited the Rijksmuseum and studied Rembrandt's 'The Jewish Bride'.
- Rembrandt's technique of painting quickly without retouching influenced Van Gogh's one-sitting works.
- Millet inspired Van Gogh to become a peasant painter, leading to 'The Potato Eaters' (1885).
- Van Gogh created copies after Millet, including 'The Sower' (1888) and 'The Sower with Setting Sun' (1888).
- Delacroix's color use, seen in 'Christ Asleep During the Tempest', inspired Van Gogh's color experiments.
- Van Gogh made 35 flower still lifes in summer 1886 to practice complementary colors.
- Monticelli's impasto technique influenced Van Gogh's use of thick paint, as seen in 'Vase with Chinese Asters and Gladioli' (1886).
Entities
Artists
- Vincent van Gogh
- Rembrandt van Rijn
- Jean-François Millet
- Eugène Delacroix
- Adolphe Monticelli
- Frans Hals
- Emile Bernard
- Paul Gauguin
- Charles Blanc
Institutions
- Rijksmuseum
- Van Gogh Museum
- Museum of Fine Arts Boston
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Louvre
- Barbizon school
Locations
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Paris
- France
- Nuenen
- Brabant
- New York