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Thumbnail for Who shot Van Gogh? : facts and counterfacts about the world's most famous artist

Who shot Van Gogh? : facts and counterfacts about the world's most famous artist

Turnbull, Alan (Visual artist)2022
Books
"Van Gogh is the most famous artist in the world, yet our understanding of his life is full of contradictions. Art historians, filmmakers, journalists, psychologists, and conspiracy theorists have offered theories on his life and work, yet their views are often poles apart. Van Gogh has been described as a suffering genius; a nature-loving innocent; a man of violence, a danger to himself and others; the embodiment of peace and compassion; a religious fanatic; a Marxist; a madman; a cultural commodity; and an investment opportunity. Where does the truth lie and the myth begin? This original and wide-ranging book provokes new questions about how we see his life and work. Divided into the recurring themes that run through the artist's life and legacy, this book presents a collage of facts and "counterfacts" about the artist, dating from his lifetime until now, from a wide field of sources: fellow artists, friends and family, doctors and psychoanalysts, actors and writers, theorists, crackpots, and scholars. Conflicting statements go hand in hand with an unconventional curation of images: featuring postcards of locations associated with the artist, photographs of a fraudster's legal trial, a children's toy, a bottle label, and a rusty revolver. Turnbull presents a kaleidoscope of fact and fiction about the world's most discussed artist--sometimes funny, sometimes heartrending, always revealing--giving readers new insights into the artist, his work, and his legacy"-- Provided by publisher.
Imprint:
New York, New York : Thames & Hudson Inc., 2022.©2022
Collation:
256 pages : illustrations (some colour) ; 23 cm
Notes:
Includes bibliographical references (pages 244-246) and index.
ISBN:
9780500024843 (hbk)9780500024843
Dewey class:
759.9492B759.949
LC class:
ND653.G7
Language:
English
BRN:
530261
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