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I'm able to get by very well in life, and also with my work, without beloved God. But I, a suffering human being, can not survive without there being something greater than myself, which for me is my whole life- the creative power... I want to paint men and women with that certain eternal touch- an idea which the sacred halo embodied earlier and which we seek to express today through light and the palpitating movement of our colors...The love between a couple is expressed by the unity of two complementary colors, by their mixture and contrasts, by the secretive vibrations of similar tones; the intelligence of a forehead is portrayed by using a light tone on a dark background; hope by a star and a man's passion by a vibrant sunset.

Vincent Willem Van Gogh#49

Van goghCreativitySpiritualityPurposeMeaning

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About this quote

What does it mean?
He argues that while practical life is possible without God, the human spirit needs a greater creative power or meaning to truly survive.
In plain terms
Survival needs something bigger than yourself, like creativity or a higher purpose.
What can you take from it?
Seek a greater purpose or creative force to sustain your spirit.

Where it applies

  • artistic practice
  • existential searching
  • spiritual reflection

Putting it to work

  • connect art to meaning
  • find a greater purpose

Questions to consider

  • What gives your life meaning?
  • Is creativity a spiritual act?

Another view

It assumes everyone experiences a need for the metaphysical or creative.

More from Vincent Willem Van Gogh

  1. I wish they would only take me as I am.

    Permalink to quote #48

  2. If boyhood and youth are but vanity, must it not be our ambition to become men?

    Permalink to quote #50

  3. I want to do drawings which touch people...In figure or landscape I should wish to express, not sentimental melancholy, but serious sorrow.

    Permalink to quote #47

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