The painting of Dr. Gachet (1890)

   Vincent van Gogh, born March 30, 1853, in Zundert, Netherlands and passed away on July 29, 1890, in Auvers-sur-Oise (unknown) was a Dutch painter from that was a part of the Post-Impressionists movement era (Getlein). In 1890, using his doctor, Paul Gachet, as his subject, van Gogh created his masterpiece titled Dr. Gachet (Van Gogh). This piece of fine art has the dimensions of 67x56 centimeters and was oil on canvas. Gifted to Dr. Gachet by van Gogh, as their relationship was more than that of doctor/patient they were close friends as well (Le docteur Paul Gachet).

  In the picture you can see Dr. Gachet, being used as the subject matter of the piece of art, sitting at a table resting his head on his balled-up fist gazing sadly off into the distant. The pain that you feel just by looking at the masterpiece is nothing like I have ever experienced before. Full of sadness, heartache, and depression, you can almost hear Dr. Gachet calling out for someone’s help. His despair more than likely came from his realization that he was about to be losing not only his patient but a friend as well. It is said that Gogh passed away just two weeks after giving his dear friend, Gactet, his self-portrait that was ever so carefully put together (Van Gogh).

  The painting of Dr. Gachet clearly highlights the impassioned brushstrokes and symbolic and intense colors creatively thrown together displaying van Gogh’s articulate painting skills. Using oil on canvas, a popular choice for van Gogh’s days, helps for the viewer to all the timeless details and time that was put into the painting. Oil paints have the tendency to dry extremely slow, so the artist has the advantage of working at his own pace, which allows him to use the paints to his own style, design, and likings (Getlein). The painting was meant to be a way to show Gachet the appreciation that van Gogh felt for him and also the love that blossomed between two friends. I enjoyed this assignment more than I had expected to.  

                                                   ^References

^{Getlein, Mark. Living with Art. Ed. Kara Hattersley-Smith and Clare Double. 12th. New York City: McGraw Hill Education, 2016. Art Appreciation. May 2021.}

^{Le docteur Paul Gachet. n.d. 2 7 2021. <http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/collections/works-in-focus/search/commentaire/commentaire_id/dr-paul-gachet-2988.html>.}

^{unknown. Vincent Van Gogh - Biography. n.d. 2 7 2021. <http://www.biography.com/people/vincent-van-gogh-9515695#artist>.}

^{Van Gogh, Vincent. Dr. Gachet. Dr. Gachet. 1890. FIne Art. 2 July 2021.}