Vincent Van Gogh 72 - De Bock Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon
Vincent Van Gogh 72 - De Bock
During Vincent's stay in The Hague
And his frequent visits to the Goupils,
Vincent met few other artistes besides
His cousin Mauve and Mijnheer Tersteeg.
One such interesting artiste was De Bock.
Vincent and De Bock became friends,
Began to meet for coffee, cakes and cigars,
And discuss their respective art work at length
Vincent and De Bock were like two opposite poles.
De Bock was a rich man, educated in England,
He spoke eloquently with refined, polished manners.
He seemed very cool and unperturbed by anything.
Looking at him, most people would call him
An affable, charming man! He was casual in his ways
And easy to deal with. The best description would be:
"His mouth was exactly as long as his nostrils were wide."
De Bock invited Vincent for a pot of coffee with him.
He wanted to show his recent paintings that had
Impressed Tersteeg and was being sold by the Goupils.
When Vincent entered his aristocratic, posh house,
Adorned with expensive furniture and furnishings,
Of velvet curtains, silken carpets and satin cushions,
Vincent felt he had entered a glittering palace.
While his house in comparison was like a poor hut.
Vincent looked at De Bock's painting of a landscape,
Through the blue smoke of De Bocks's expensive cigar,
While De Bock waited eagerly for a favourable review.
Vincent's sharp, penetrating eyes scrutinized his work.
His immediate reaction was that DeBock's work
Lacked something vital. The landscape looked good
But it lacked intensity. There was no substance!
Just like De Bock! Thought Vincent, So casual!
Clutching on to the tea cup, Vincent said:
"There's only one thing I am not sure I like
About this canvas." Unruffled by Vincent's remark:
De Bock asked: "What was it you didn't care for? "
"Your figures. They don't seem authentic." Replied Vincent.
"Your work is ahead of mine, besides you're an accepted artiste. But will you permit me to offer just one word of friendly criticism? Your painting lacks passion! "
A Biographical Poem
This is very constructive criticism I am sure had he taken it in right perspective he would have put enough passion in his succeeding paintings. For any artist what matters is how they look at things from their view-point.....
What I see as an artist/ art lover if you try to put everything in your paintings it may fill the canvass but will not leave space to move smoothly as it happened in the painting you posted above... Excellent poem, Geeta ji..5***** To my Fav as well.
Your beautiful biographies of Vincent van Gogh should be turned into a book, they are very worthy to be published.
Another great character of Van Gogh has been known by the readers through this beautiful biographical poem. One of the core values of friendship is honesty. Van Gogh's straightforward answer to the question of his friend DE Boch is just amazing. What a wonderful side of Van Gogh.
2) The Vincent who wasn't afaid to speak his mind. And to offer constructive criticism at the cost of possibly losing a good friend.
Geeta, your brilliant series continues to present all of the various contrasts that were present in Vincent's life: family, friends, lifestyles, art styles, etc. Wondering if that created the real Vincent.
True to his nature, Vincent expressed his frank opinion about his rich friend's art work which he thought lacked intensity or passion. The series is so lively.
Dr. Geeta, my friend, you have presented beautifully, vividly and brilliantly through this biographical poem (series) the detailed life of Van Gogh as if we have lived with him in his lifetime. A very commendable work indeed! Top Marks!
Van Gogh is like a diamond inside a rough stone. Outside he is so short of manners, wealth and stability . Yet if you dig deeper, he had some of the finest character of a great, great man.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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5/2/2024 8:21:46 AM # 1.0.0.1119
Wonderful chapter in this beautiful poem