“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.”— Aristotle
We know art has always been a mirror of the soul. Its reflection entices us to make of pain, sorrow, joy, and other nuances of life a source of inspiration to express our deepest emotions. The mind is like a labyrinth with so many twists and turns one can easily get lost within it. Artists use these powerful emotions to create their most meaningful work.
“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.”— Pablo Picasso
They say art can be used to tell lies, but with every brushstroke, the truth of the artist is slowly revealed. For better or for worse they don’t stop thinking; they just feel and let themselves be carried away; they simply follow their hearts. Not even their pain or the drugs they consume can stop them; on the contrary, they’ll use whatever source they have at hand to complete their most creative artistic production. The following artists have taken their pain and drug abuse as a source of inspiration for their work. We are granted the possibility of finding comfort from our own struggles as we admire their art.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
People are not familiar with Renoir’s myopia, a condition that didn’t allow him to properly see objects in the distance. One might say that Renoir’s aesthetic and brushstrokes are a consequence of his nearsightedness. For example in “The Skiff (La Yole)” the images of the women on the boat and the house behind them are blurry.
Edvard Munch
In Edvard Munch’s life, sickness and death were always present. The death of his mother and sister changed his life and work. Munch’s introvert personality dragged him into a pit of depression, a battle he eventually lost. “Melancholy” is a great example of Munch’s sources of inspiration, as the painting is about a man absorbed in thought, unaware of his surroundings. “Anxiety” and “The Scream” are also paintings in which Munch’s mental health is depicted.
Frida Kahlo
The life of the Mexican painter was filled with tragedy. In “Las Dos Fridas,” she portrays herself in two versions: the Mexican Frida and the European Frida, and both have their hearts exposed. The Mexican Frida is brokenhearted, representing the pain she feels for Diego’s preference over the European Frida.
“You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul.”— George Bernard Shaw
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Basquiat lived life to the fullest. Excess and rebellion placed him on the path of drugs. He died at the age of 27, but as we see, his work and unique painting style was heavy influence by narcotics. One of his most famous works, “Dust Heads,” allows us to appreciate the strength of his soul and creative mind.
Vasili Kandinsky
Kandinsky had a neurological disorder called synesthesia, in which a person experiences “crossed” responses to stimuli. The person is able to “hear” colors, “see” sounds, and “taste” shapes. Kandinsky used this condition to his favor to depict the world he saw and heard. As we can see in “Composition No. VIII,” he had a unique perspective of life.
These artists prove that “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Their struggles and addictions took them to the path of creativity and left us with the most amazing paintings in the world.
