Vincent Van Gogh 39 - Vincent Amusing Himself

Borinage was not a place of art or pictures. But Vincent who was gifted with an artistic eye And a perception beyond the ordinary. For him, Borinage appeared beautiful, picturesque, Full of depth, character and perseverance. Last winter, he had written to his brother Theo: " Of late, the ground has been covered with snow; Everything then reminded one of the medieval pictures Of the peasant Breughel, and of many others who have known How to express so remarkably well that peculiar effect Of red and green, black and white. There are hollow roads, Grown over with thorn bushes, and old gnarled trees With their fantastical roots, which perfectly resemble that road On the etching by Durer, "Death and the Knight." The next day, after his long walking trip to Mons, He went to terril behind Marcasse and sketched, The women and girls who were leaning over the slope, Bending, picking charcoal or black gold from the mountainside. That day, after dinner, he made a drawing of Madame Denise. When he finished, she came around to look over his shoulder. She exclaimed with surprise: " Monsieur Vincent, you are an artiste! " Vincent was embarrassed. "No! " he said. " I am only amusing myself." Vincent was pleased with himself though. His work had a special meaning and quality. It was totally his work - in a curious way, pure and sacred. He was not ready to talk about it or share it with anyone. His drawings may look crude and amateurish, But it was his own creation, his unique work of art! Biographical Poem!