Answer the questions about the video.
1. What profession did van Gogh originally pursue? At what age did he begin to pursue art? Do you see any similarities between these two professions?
2. According to the video, what was van Goghs first masterpiece? Why?
3. What happened during van Goghs stay in Paris?
4. How does van Goghs work change over time?
5. In the end, did van Gogh accomplish what he wanted as an artist? How?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Analysis of Vincent van Gogh’s Artistic Journey
1. Van Gogh’s Original Profession and Transition to Art
Vincent van Gogh initially pursued a career as an art dealer. He worked for a company in The Hague and later in London, where he was deeply involved in the art world. However, he left this profession at the age of 27 to fully dedicate himself to becoming an artist.
Similarities Between Professions
Both professions—art dealer and artist—involve a profound appreciation for art and creativity. As an art dealer, van Gogh was exposed to various styles and techniques, which likely influenced his future work. Both roles require a keen eye for aesthetics and an understanding of what makes art impactful.
2. Van Gogh’s First Masterpiece
According to the video, van Gogh’s first masterpiece is considered to be “The Potato Eaters.” This painting is significant because it reflects his commitment to portraying the struggles of the working class and demonstrates his ability to convey emotion through his subjects. The use of dark tones and earthy colors emphasizes the somber reality of the peasants’ lives, marking a pivotal moment in his artistic development.
3. Van Gogh’s Stay in Paris
During his stay in Paris, van Gogh was exposed to various artistic movements, including Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. This period was essential for his artistic growth as he interacted with fellow artists like Henri Toulouse-Lautrec and Paul Gauguin. He began experimenting with color, light, and brushwork, leading to a significant shift in his style. The vibrant colors and expressive forms that became hallmarks of his later work began to emerge during this time.
4. Evolution of Van Gogh’s Work
Over time, van Gogh’s work evolved from dark, earthy tones to bright, vivid colors characterized by dynamic brushstrokes. His early works focused on peasant life and rural scenes, while later pieces reflected more emotional depth and personal expression, often influenced by his mental state. This transformation highlights his quest for identity as an artist and his desire to communicate deeper feelings through his art.
5. Van Gogh’s Accomplishments as an Artist
In the end, while van Gogh struggled with mental health issues and faced significant challenges during his lifetime, he did accomplish what he wanted as an artist—creating impactful and emotionally resonant artwork. Although he sold only a few paintings during his life, his legacy grew significantly after his death. Today, van Gogh is celebrated as one of the most influential figures in Western art history, achieving recognition for his unique style and emotional depth that resonates with audiences worldwide.
In summary, van Gogh’s journey from art dealer to renowned painter illustrates the transformative power of pursuing one’s passion despite obstacles, ultimately leading to a lasting impact on the art world.
