To be honest, I didn’t know this painting existed till a few days back. I don’t remember how exactly I came across it, but I did. I knew van Gogh from the usual suspects, Sunflowers, self portraits, Starry Starry Nights…
Art doesn’t normally evoke a visceral response from me. I like the technique, the effort, the vision but in a more detached way, so to speak. This one did. I could almost feel I was inside the painting. A cold, dark night outside, a welcoming, warm, yellow glow inside..a small place, a few regulars seated around, and nearest to me? An inviting chair already pulled out. Who wouldn’t enter? This was a place for lost souls, for the tired and beaten down. The cold darkness outside couldn’t hurt them in here. No one would come to mock and abuse and deride them. Not here, not at this time. This was a place that offered a haven to me. The awkward legs of the pool table, the almost childish light effects around the lamps overhead, none of that mattered right now. I could sit here all night long, sharing a drink with fellow non-talkers silently. Well, that was how it struck me.
To read a critique/artistic review, head to the source here
I can almost hear someone think, “There might be some hope for this philistine yet He might grow up and understand art.” Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not moving beyond the Impressionists, save for the rare exception.
hbhatnagar 
I could swear I wrote a comment about the pool table.. but if not I too never seen it before. I love the starry starry night song too. –smile–
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Posted by booguloo | 27/06/2015, 9:12 PMI don’t see any comment from you either here or in spam….I love that song too! It’s like I always felt he was singing about me! 😀
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Posted by hbhatnagar | 27/06/2015, 9:17 PMThank you for introducing this painting and sharing your thoughts. I didn’t know much about this painting.
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Posted by Amy | 27/06/2015, 5:43 PMYou’re most welcome. I thought I’d be the only one who had no idea about this piece, glad to know I’m in good company. 😀
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Posted by hbhatnagar | 27/06/2015, 7:54 PMI stared at this for a good five minutes and felt nothing that you did. It’s true then, I’m really made of stone.
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Posted by Uday | 27/06/2015, 4:18 PMWhy? Art affects us all very differently. And I am not affected by anything Picasso ever painted; it’s just daubs on canvas to me. Look around, you’ll find art you’ll respond to, I’m sure. 🙂
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Posted by hbhatnagar | 27/06/2015, 7:53 PMI really do wonder why paintings don’t move me as much. As I do respond to all other art forms. I think the only one that whirred up something inside me is the ‘The Last Supper’. Just the amount of detail and emotion that Da vinci tries to capture along with the ‘geometrically realistic’ backdrop was fascinating for me.
Maybe I just need to spend some time in an art gallery 🙂
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Posted by Uday | 27/06/2015, 8:38 PMWe’re all wired differently. For instance, instrumental music doesn’t do much for me, though there are the odd occasions. Experience what you like, and always give anything new a couple of tries is what I always say! 🙂
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Posted by hbhatnagar | 27/06/2015, 9:14 PMI’m not familiar with that painting as well. Thanks for posting about it 🙂
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Posted by abyssbrain | 27/06/2015, 3:12 PMYou’re most welcome. 🙂
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Posted by hbhatnagar | 27/06/2015, 7:52 PMThat would explain my dream this morning, with a naked Egyptian conscripts trying to stave off an invasion of pearl white bandage mini dress wearing Greeks, who jogged daintily rather than ran. Guess which team of men I was running in front of. Hint, I said, “Hey, you’re hitting me…” a lot. x
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Posted by Sabiscuit | 27/06/2015, 11:33 AMI’d have thought my “walk like an Egyptian” post a few days back would have brought on this dream….x
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Posted by hbhatnagar | 27/06/2015, 7:51 PMGosh, that must have been it. I was convinced it was the “Philistine” comment. There are things I can’t undream. Thanks for that, though. x
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Posted by Sabiscuit | 27/06/2015, 10:37 PMThere are things I wish I could undream… x
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Posted by hbhatnagar | 27/06/2015, 11:20 PMToo late… and that was me, narrating, that time. (Just kidding, everyone!) x o x o x o
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Posted by Sabiscuit | 27/06/2015, 11:23 PMYou know you always have an ear on tap. Just saying. x
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Posted by hbhatnagar | 27/06/2015, 11:33 PMThank you, HB. I also have friends encouraging me to drink so all of my bases are covered. xo
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Posted by Sabiscuit | 27/06/2015, 11:36 PMI think I replied to that without reading this reply. 🙂
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Posted by hbhatnagar | 27/06/2015, 11:38 PMThank you Amy! 🙂
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Posted by hbhatnagar | 08/06/2017, 8:54 PM