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[after the sermon (jacob wrestling with the angel) 1888]
didn’t want to add him to that favorite artists posts because he Is Not. but this is def a top 20 painting for me and changed my life.
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An incredibly pretentious first share, I know. But when I saw this painting at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam (brag) I had an almost visceral reaction to it. Which is rare for me.
Jan 22, 2024
I have so many paintings that I love and return to but this one is my deepest personal relationship. It is SO dark visually and thematically that each time you look at it, it feels like you finally see something new. It’s bizarre and haunting and there are these absolutely gargantuan naked male figures weeping in the middle ground.
In the research I’ve done, stunned scholars have theorized that it’s a reference to Michelangelo’s Ignudi’s or large naked male figures featured in a lot of his frescoes. But why are they at a Quaker meeting? Why are they so despairing? Quaker worship is characterized by a lot of internal prayer and silence followed by explosive fits of revelation and outcrying. It is a fascinating branch of Christianity and this painting depicts their private worship so well.
In all my research I have found no conclusive answer to the question of the giant nudes, but the question itself bring me back to this piece every time I visit this museum. Dark, haunting, a forever unraveling mystery to me.
Nov 2, 2024
Apr 30, 2025
Top Recs from @deardoveswings
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mandatory part of the human condition, i fear. i have like 58 but thats besides the point
May 30, 2025
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liking ur rec = saying hi when we go to get our morning papers from the end of our driveways (picture me doing so tony soprano style)
Aug 12, 2024
actually it’s a me song because i like it. be quiet and listen to this “show me how” by men i trust.
May 4, 2025