What am I in the eyes of most people - a nonentity, an eccentric, or an unpleasant person - somebody who has no position in society and will never have; in short, the lowest of the low. All right, then - even if that were absolutely true, then I should one day like to show by my work what such an eccentric, such a nobody, has in his heart. That is my ambition, based less on resentment than on love in spite of everything, based more on a feeling of serenity than on passion. Though I am often in the depths of misery, there is still calmness, pure harmony and music inside me. I see paintings or drawings in the poorest cottages, in the dirtiest corners. And my mind is driven towards these things with an irresistible momentum.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Van Gogh accepts being seen as a nobody but hopes his art will show the beauty in his heart. He finds calm and inspiration even in misery and dirt.
- In plain terms
- Even if people think he is worthless, he believes his work will show the value inside him.
- What can you take from it?
- Your inner worth matters more than social status.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What would you show through your work?
- How do you find calm in misery?
Another view
It assumes art can eventually prove what society denies.
More from Vincent Van Gogh
What a splendid thing watercolour is to express atmosphere and distance, so that the figure is surrounded by air and can breathe in it.
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