VCU professor examines Van Gogh’s never-seen artworks
World studies professor shares expertise in art history
Samantha McCartney
Contributing Writer
Rarely ever discussed when learning about art history, Van Gogh’s “ghost paintings” continue to mystify the masses.
However, VCU world religions professor Cliff Edwards is a pioneer in uncovering the facts behind these destroyed pieces of artwork.
His fifth book, titled “Van Gogh’s Ghost Paintings,” is currently in the works and intends to give a background on Van Gogh’s life during the years that the so-called “ghost paintings” were created and then destroyed by the painter, and to shed some light on why.
Edwards provided his own conclusion as to why Van Gogh may have painted these uncharacteristic paintings at a presentation on the topic this past Wednesday at the Commons.
“My own view is that it was a radical imitation of Christ that led him to paint that painting,” Edwards said. “Jesus had control in garden of Gethsemane. It was there that he made a decision to stick it out with disciples and follow through with his predetermined fate.
“It was his true struggle. Vincent Van Gogh was in the same state of mind when he painted. … Van Gogh was in his own Gethsemane.”
Although there are several books based on Van Gogh’s life and artwork, Edwards’ is the first on this particular aspect of Van Gogh’s artistic career. Already a published author, historical writing and research are nothing new to the professor with more than 36 years of teaching experience at VCU.
His lecture this past Wednesday, delved deeper into the details of his book. Dr. Edwards made sure to point out why he even began to study this topic by quoting Marcel Proust and saying, “The only true journey (is) to see the universe through the eyes of another. I’ve chosen to view (the universe) through some of the world’s most creative eyes.”
Along with several surprising facts about the conflicted mindset of Van Gogh throughout his life, the lecture also had a display of two of the interpretations made by a current and former VCU art student. Each of the artists drew references from other famed artists to incorporate not only the description Van Gogh gave of his paintings, but to also illustrate the personal nature of this topic and what it mean to Van Gogh.
Edwards ended the lecture by saying, “When you give something up, and renounce it, it opens up new possibilities in life. It’s a joyous thing. Not staying in paradise but struggling with Gethsemane is where life truly has its beauty and its meaning. By destroying these paintings, (Van Gogh) emptied out the possibility of him becoming a biblical painter and therefore liberated himself.”
