Foundations of Theology

Created by Vincent van Gogh.
Currently housed in the Museum of Modern Art.
The view depicted in the painting is from the Hospital of Saint Paul-de-Mausole where Van Gogh was admitted.
Van Gogh sold only 2 paintings during his lifetime; he became famous posthumously.
The painting's estimated value is between $500 million to $1 billion.
Van Gogh is noted for a dramatic life event: he cut off his ear and allegedly gave it to his crush.

Van Gogh was deeply spiritual, with his art often examining themes of spirituality.
His father was a Dutch Protestant minister, and from an early age, Van Gogh felt a religious calling.
He traveled to Belgium for a service trip, where he ministered to coal mining communities.
During this experience, Van Gogh realized he was not meant to be a minister like his father; rather, he aspired to be an artist.

Van Gogh is known for his use of impasto: a technique involving the layering of paint to create texture.
He signed his artworks with his first name only, emphasizing personal connection and emotional expression.
The cypress tree depicted in Starry Night is characterized as a large, swirling, black figure within the composition.

The spire within the painting serves as a symbol, indicating the presence of a church. It does not have lights on, symbolizing a lack of divine light found therein.
Light contrasts between houses that are illuminated and the church.
The spire is directed upwards, symbolizing Van Gogh's pursuit of light in nature rather than in institutional settings.
The swirling figures of the sky may represent a yin-yang duality in the capabilities of existence.
Both Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin employed colors intentionally to evoke emotional responses rather than mere descriptive accuracy.

The first artwork created by Van Gogh after deciding to pursue art seriously.
It portrays people living in poverty, reflecting the struggles of those he ministered to.
the colors of the potato eaters is supposed to represent a potato
some examples of poverty being shown are: the clothes of the people; they are wearing worn and dirty old clothes, the food is small and plain and the table is worn out as well. The people’s expressions seem like they’re miserable, their faces are dirty as well.
A crucifixion is depicted at the top left corner of the painting, subtly integrating a religious motif.
Van Gogh adopted a color palette intended to represent the colors of potatoes, thereby emphasizing the subjects' lived reality.

Painted by Paul Gauguin after he moved to Tahiti.
Initially expected an untouched paradise but found a more complex reality.
Gauguin's diaries contain frequent embellishments and dishonesty.
The artwork is rich with religious symbolism, discussing themes of life and death with references to the Garden of Eden.
Gauguin says the bible is a compass
The painting notably lacks cohesive narrative structure, leading to interpretations based on visual symbols.
The central figure is depicted taking fruit from a tree, symbolizing temptation or the cycle of life. A woman in the painting appears to be approaching death, reflecting the transient nature of existence from birth to demise.
from birth to death right to left
Paul Gauguin was said to be dramatic

Created during the Romantic period (1800-1850).
Represents themes of romanticism, which prioritize emotion and feeling over cold rationality of the Enlightenment.
Engages with both physical reality and metaphysical concepts that transcend mere materiality.
Friedrich's art explores nature as a primary subject, often featuring a human figure within vast landscapes.
The storm in this painting symbolizes God's power, contrasting the frailty of humanity against the grandeur of nature.

The viewer shares an experience with the figure in the painting, engaging with her open arms toward the setting sun.
Us viewers see the same thing as her and are haing the same kind of expeerience as her.

Rothko is a significant figure in Abstract Expressionism, particularly known for gestural abstraction and chromatic abstraction.
His work is characterized by expressing emotion through color, prioritizing the emotional resonance of color over representational subjects.
Rothko's artistic philosophy discusses the necessity of abstract art as a medium to address profound human experiences.
He frequently visited Matisse's studio, enhancing his understanding of color's impact.
Rothko firmly believed that viewers experience the same profound emotional or religious feelings others had while creating the artwork.

The orrery is a mechanical model illustrating the solar system, representing a shift towards scientific understanding.
The painting depicts an audience captivated by scientific discovery, reflecting Enlightenment ideals.
The Enlightenment was upheaval of religious focus, where scientific experiment became the focus over religion.
It signifies a crucial moment in history where scientific explanations displaced religious narratives, as noted by Goethe.

Engaging with nature leads to a deeper encounter with the creator of nature, highlighting the interrelationship between the natural world and spiritual inquiry, as stated, “The encounter with nature leads one to an encounter with the creator of nature, God.”