Van Gogh's Unconventional Artistic Journey with Mentor Mauve: A Strained Relationship Shapes Art History.

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 | Art |
Updated By: History Editorial Network (HEN)
Published:  | Updated:
4 min read

Vincent van Gogh's relationship with his mentor, Anton Mauve, faced a significant strain during their time in The Hague. Mauve, an established artist, initially guided van Gogh, contributing to his development in techniques such as drawing and painting. However, their mentorship saw a decline, primarily due to van Gogh’s unconventional practices. Van Gogh had begun hiring people from the street to serve as his models, a practice that Mauve found objectionable. In an era when artists primarily used professional models or studio setups, van Gogh’s choice not only went against the norms but also potentially disrupted the professional standards that Mauve upheld. This disagreement over artistic methods led to a growing tension between the mentor and the student. Despite the fallout, this period marked a crucial stage in van Gogh’s artistic journey. Van Gogh's decision to use street people as models stemmed from his desire to capture raw human emotion and daily life’s authenticity. This divergence from traditional academic art forms highlighted van Gogh's unique approach and set the stage for his later works, which would become seminal in art history. The impact of their deteriorating relationship extended beyond personal conflict. It influenced van Gogh’s future interactions with other artists and shaped his independent path in the art world. The incident underscored the contrasting philosophies between van Gogh's burgeoning modernist views and Mauve’s more conventional approach, reflecting broader tensions within the art community of that period. #VanGogh #AntonMauve #ArtHistory #ModernArt #MentorshipConflict #MoofLife
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