Learning From Henri Nouwen And Vincent Van Gogh

Carol Berry and her husband met and befriended Henri Nouwen when she sat in his course on compassion at Yale Divinity School in the 1970s. At the request of Henri Nouwen's literary estate, she has written this book, which includes unpublished material recorded from Nouwen's lectures. As an art educator, Berry is uniquely situated to develop Nouwen's work on Vincent van Gogh and to add her own research. She fills in background on the much misunderstood spiritual context of van Gogh's work, and reinterprets van Gogh's art (presented here in full color) in light of Nouwen's lectures. Berry also brings in her own experience in ministry, sharing how Nouwen and van Gogh, each in his own way, led her to the richness and beauty of the compassionate life.

Including unpublished material recorded from Henri Nouwen's lectures, this book comes at the request of the Henri Nouwen's literary estate from someone who knew him as a teacher and friend. Carol Berry brings her own experience in both ministry and art education to bear as she unpacks the much misunderstood spiritual context of Vincent van Gogh's work, and reinterprets van Gogh's art in light of Nouwen's lectures.

Explore the depth of this brilliant and tortured artist's spirituality and find a new Van Gogh--philosopher of life, unorthodox theologian, and determined seeker of global spirituality.

"There may be a great fire in our soul, but no one ever comes to warm himself at it, and the passers-by see only a little bit of smoke coming through the chimney, and pass on their way ... Must one tend that inward fire ... wait for the hour when someone will come and sit down near it - to stay there maybe? Let him who believes in God wait for the hour that will come sooner or later." - Vincent Van GoghVincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) is arguably the most beloved artist int he world. he was also an artist motivated by a deep spiritual vision - expressed first in his efforts to become a missionary and minister, and later, after his decisive break with organized religion, through his art. Through art he found anew way to express his solidarity and compassion for humanity, and to awaken people to the sacred depths of reality. As he wrote, "I should like to pain in men and women something of that quality of eternity which was symbolized formerly by a halo and which we try to convey by the very radiance of our coloring." It was this vision and the quality of his sacrifice that defined the spiritual dimension of his art. Though virtually nobody in his own lifetime understood his intentions or appreciated his work, Van Gogh poured out his convictions in letters to his brother Theo. Drawing largely on these letters along with her own reflections on the interplay between his life, his spiritual vision, and his art, Carol Berry draws a moving portrait of Van Gogh as a spiritual seeker and teacher for our time. Along with original translations of Van Gogh's letters the volume is illustrated by a number of his drawings.

"Ten years after his death in 1996, Henri Nouwen remains one of the most popular and influential spiritual writers of our time. What accounted for his strong personal impact on so many people? The memories, anecdotes, and reflections collected here, all by people who knew and worked with him, shed light on the meaning of Nouwen's life, the diverse facets of his complex personality, and the nature of his enduring legacy. Contributors include Carolyn Whitney-Brown, Michael O'Laughlin, Michael Christensen, John Dear, Jim Forest, Chris Glaser, Robert Ellsberg, and Michael Ford, reflecting on Nouwen's relation to such themes as friendship, compassion, the Eucharist, community, peacemaking, spiritual direction, prayer, and sexuality."--Publisher's website.

Cliff Edwards, a well-known Vincent Van Gogh author and scholar, explores Van Gogh's second gift--the surprising written works of Van Gogh in letters to his brother, fellow artists, and friends. Edwards illuminates Van Gogh's vision and creative process for readers as a way of living and creating more deeply. Van Gogh's Second Gift gives us another side of Van Gogh, whose poetic, creative, and original mind opened up startling insights on the creative process. A perfect book for creatives and those who want to understand more about one of the world's most beloved artists, the genius creator of works like Starry Night. Focusing on more than 40 letter excerpts, Edwards offers clear background and insights into Van Gogh's life and creative ideas, as well as suggestions for reflection and personal engagement. Van Gogh sketches are scattered throughout the book.

Docent Juliet Benner began showing people how to meditate on Christian art treasures, which led to her much-beloved "O Taste and See" columns from the spiritual formation journal Conversations, now expanded into this book. In each chapter you'll encounter a passage of Scripture and a corresponding piece of art to lead you in a new experience of prayer in God's presence.

One of the most significant and revealing paintings by the world famous artist Vincent van Gogh was never seen by anyone but the artist himself. The painting was so important to the artist that he painted it twice. He was so conflicted about the painting that he destroyed it twice. Cliff Edwards argues these two unique paintings Vincent created and destroyed are at least as important to understanding the artist and his work as are the two thousand or more paintings and drawings that do exist. In Van Gogh's Ghost Paintings, Edwards invites his readers on a journey that begins in a Zen master's room in Japan and ends at a favorite site of the artist, a ruined monastery and its garden in the south of France. Recovering the intent of van Gogh and the nature of his "ghost paintings" becomes a "zen koan" waiting to be solved. The solution offers access to the deepest levels of the artist's life as painter and spiritual pilgrim. The journey leads to the artist's choice of the biblical theme of the Garden of Gethsemane. The answer to the mystery of the lost paintings illuminates the relationship of joy and suffering, discovery and creation, religion and the arts in van Gogh's life and work. In this fascinating book Edwards solves a long-ignored mystery that provides a critical key to the relation of van Gogh's religion and art.