Happy Birthday to Vincent Van Gogh, born March 30, 1853.
I have several books to introduce today. First is “Treasures of the Art Institute-paintings from the 19th Century to the Present” by James Rondeau, 2018. I just bought this little book at the Art Institute, when visiting to see a special Picasso exhibit, and then roam the halls. We saw a bunch of stuff, and met some interesting folks, as well. There will be a story soon on the whole adventure. But in this book, and in the museum too, we saw the famous Van Gogh painting ‘Self-portrait’ 1887.
The next book is “Van Gogh: An Appreciation of His Art” by Gerhard Gruitrooy, 1994. This is a large and insightful book about Van Gogh. I did not know he only painted for about ten years, with the bulk of work done in his last few years. The book is also filled with Van Gogh’s artwork including another very similar “Self Portrait” 1889.(at the Musee d’Orsay). The author notes that he did this painting as a documentation of his improved health, and that the jacket he wore was originally painted ‘Bright Lilac’, and has since faded, making his red beard contrast sharply with the rest of the painting. It was interesting to compare the two portraits.
March 30th was named National Pencil Day because on this date in the year 1858, Hymen Lipman patented the first “modern pencil”: a wooden graphite pencil with a rubber eraser attached to it. This book is “The Pencil: A History of Design and Circumstance” by Henry Petroski, 1990. I have written about another of Petroski’s books on February 20, for National Toothpick Day.
I also added in the photo, a portable pencil sharpener that the handle collapses in, as well as the pencil holder, to make transporting it much easier. I always love the German for pencil sharpener-der bleistiftspitser.
The Pencil is a very detailed book about the history, origins, and production of a pencil. It starts in Greece and Rome, and eventually makes its way up to including much on the formation of graphite powders to make different hardness’s. It is very interesting that they would at one time fit graphite strips into two slices of wood to make a pencil. I cannot recommend this book enough, to read while in a comfortable reading chair with no worries or hurries. Take your time to read it. Good books can fit like a good pencil in one’s hand.
To paraphrase Vincent Van Gogh:
“If you hear a voice within you say you cannot pencil, then by all means pencil and that voice will be silenced.”
Librarytomes 