Many exceptional artists of the past struggled with mental illnesses. Of these include Vincent Van Gogh, Edgar Degas, Edvard Munch, Frida Kahlo, and Paul Gauguin. Illnesses such as depression, neurasthenia, manic depression, and Schizophrenia. These artists persisted in created compelling art that allowed it’s viewers to peer into the life and perspective of the artist. Could mental illness possibly be the force that pushed these artists toward groundbreaking conceptual art amidst dark places? Painting is a means to show the artist’s true emotional state, or rebel against the standards of society or common practices. Artists such as Van Gogh and Edvard Munch often used heightened color palettes as their means of expression. This could be seen as a link to mental illness at the time. The opening artwork of this exhibit is Van Gogh’s Corridor in the Asylum. This was artwork completed by Van Gogh during his stay at an asylum in France. This is just one of many paintings he completed there. These following artists strived towards emotional intensities, feeling a wide spectrum of emotions in a more vivid and profound way than the common person. As you look at these artworks, do you experience a heightened emotional feeling from them? More than you’re accustomed to? Painting is a form of exploration. These works show an exploration of perception and surroundings. These paintings were all controversial at their time, and have come to spark new forms of art to follow. Beautiful and immersive art was and can often be produced by talented artists struggling with severe mental illness.
Corridor in the Asylum, Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, Zundert 1853–1890 Auvers-sur- Oise), September 1889, Oil color and essence over black chalk on pink laid ("Ingres") paper, 25 5/8 x 19 5/16in. (65.1 x 49.1cm), MET Art Collection
Corridor in the Asylum is a painting completed by Vincent Van Gogh while he was staying at an asylum in France. This was shortly after suffering from a manic episode resulting in him cutting off his own ear. Van Gogh suffered from many episodes like these. During his stay at the Asylum was one of his loneliest. This is seen in this lonely and alluring corridor. Van Gogh was an impressionist with a fascination for living spaces and nature. His technique of thick brushstrokes and vivacious colors evokes feeling in the viewers that allow us to relate to Van Gogh in his struggle, along with his hope and love for art and nature.
Landscape, Kragerø, Edvard Munch (Norwegian, Løten 1863–1944 Ekely), 1912, Oil on canvas, 28 1/2 x 39 1/2 in. (72.4 x 100.3 cm), MET Art Collection
Landscape, Kragero is a landscape painting by Edvard Munch. Munch spent decades in the art capitals of Europe, but decided to move to Kragero after a nervous breakdown. He was seeking seclusion and peace, an aide to his inner turmoil. In this move Munch became fascinated with bright palettes and sweeping brushstrokes. Munch’s style of painting was very unique and recognizable. His style showed very intense emotion and experience. This painting however, in contrast to The Scream, shows peacefulness and a happy tone. Munch once said about this painting “let the molecules settle down after all my inner turmoil.”
The Scream is a painting by Edvard Munch with the intention to represent his soul. Munch suffered from severe depression and panic attacks. Munch painted this scene of crisis from an experience he had when he was walking on a bridge with friends. During a beautiful orange sunset, Munch stopped walking and immediately starting having a panic attack. He became claustrophobic, tired, and anxious. Munch felt disconnected from the world, and his style of art expressed this. Munch was experiencing troubled times, and he rationalized his experiences through painting. Shortly after this painting was produced Munch, like Van Gogh, checked himself into a mental hospital.
Two Tahitian Women shows a scene of two confident woman from Tahiti in the nude. This is surprising for the viewer but completely normal for the people of Tahiti. Gauguin wanted to portray the shamelessness and pre-modernity that he admired so much about Tahiti. Gauguin suffered from depression and suicidal tendencies. He moved from France to Tahiti to get away from industrialization and the then modern style of art. He was detached and very immoral. You can see a bit of his backstory in this painting. He was unhappy with what the world was becoming, and used tropical settings and woman to convey a meaning that more suited his interest and beliefs.
The Two Fridas is a painting of Frida Kahlo in two persons. One is Frida dressed in a costume with a broken heart. The other Frida is dressed modernly with a whole heart. This painting was completed shortly after her divorce to Diego Rivera. She admitted this painting expressed her sadness and desperation from her separation. This painting suggests inner turmoil and allows its viewers to understand the painful life of Frida Kahlo. Frida Kahlo endured severe emotional and physical pain in her life. Thought these dark and lasting times, she painted continuously as her sole motivation in life.
Courtyard of the Hospital is a work that combines pain and suffering with aesthetic beauty. Vincent Van Gogh was in this hospital for his severe mental illness seeking treatment and recovery. Van Gogh did not see recovery, however he painted beautiful colorful scenes as he coped with loneliness and hopelessness. Van Gogh has emotionally intensive scenes that draw out feelings from the it’s viewers. The mental hospital would give a feeling of loneliness and hopelessness, yet he painted the beauty of it. This gives the viewer a peek into Van Gogh’s eyes. Without seeing firsthand his pain and suffering, we can see his setting combined with his hope and persistence in this compelling image.
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