art inspired: one pair of shoes, vincent van gogh
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
This worn pair of black boots that Vincent van Gogh painted in 1886 in Paris is the most hotly discussed pair of shoes in the history of art. To this day, these humble boots are the jumping off place for experts to disagree about the function of art, the meaning of truth, and the nature of existence. Martin Heidegger made a case in 1936 for the "thingness of things"--that the painting is not really about a portrait of boots, but about revealing the hidden essence or truth--which can only to be derived from a work of art. The american art historian Meyer Schapiro disagreed, arguing that only by knowing van Gogh's intentions can the painting be understood and that the shoes were obviously a self-portrait. The fact that van Gogh barely wore shoes most of his life did not shake Schapiro's stance. Over the years Jacques Derrida, Ian Shaw and Stephen Melville also weighed in on these shoes.
So I ask you: is a shoe just a shoe? Or is it a work of art?
1. Alexander McQueen Lace-up leather ankle boots $1,580
2. Alexander McQueen shoes $1,490 {on sale: $745}
3. Rag & Bone Classic Combat Boot $550
4. Dior Muse Ankle Boot $1,100
5. Alexander McQueen Flat Motorcycle Bootie $2,075
6. Betsy Johnson Glitter Combat Boot $150
7. Giambattista Valli Lace-Up Ankle Boot $1,070
8. Rochas Brogue Ankle Boot $895
* Are you as boot crazed as I am? For the next two days I'll be featuring California girls in boots over at On PCH.
* For more art inspired fashion posts, you can check out the last 27 weeks worth of art+fashion posts on the right hand index.
Labels: One Pair of Shoes, Vincent Van Gogh
posted by Mary Jo at TrustYourStyle at
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
I'm Mary Jo, a handbag designer living in sunny California.
TrustYourStyle is where I
share inspiration and connect with other
style lovers. Did I mention I celebrate 
41 Comments:
Definitely boot crazed. I've been looking for a new pair and can barely narrow it down! Love your picks ~jen
Gah! Now this is the best form of life imitating art. Amazing selection, Mary Jo. I wouldn't mind finding those Rag & Bone Classic Combat Boots in my wardrobe! :)
I am not an expert in the history of art, but I tend to agree with Heidegger's opinion, that the painting expresses much more than a self-portrait. I don't necessarily think that a shoe is a work of art (although there are shoes that are exactly that, a work of art, meant to be admired rather than be worn, and I love those too), but I do think that shoes play the most important part in an outfit and a poor quality shoe is worth nothing. For me it must be beautiful (which does not exclude the comfort quality) and it must beautify your legs and look.
Ada
OK, I know this post is for your female readers, but what do you think about brogue boots for men with a suit?
I'll take #2 please :)
Works of art, darling, especially the Dior!
xoxox,
CC
Work of art! Love this post.
I think they are both! I like all of the boots but I think my favorite is number four,
I have never seen that painting.
Fabulous post!
I will take those Betsy glitter boots!
I do feel his pain in the rumpled worn look of these shoes. And I do feel some fashion transcends all earthly bounds and becomes art - like every Mc Queen piece I see...
I'm just as obsessed and I do believe that shoes are a work of art! It pains me to wear some of mine and get them dirty! ha. xo
A work of art for sure!! Well, some of them :) I don't own any that I consider a work of art, but shopping in upscale stores--I definitely pass by some that I'd love to frame ;)
i'm obsessed with boots! and these black booties are gorgeous! i so need to buy me a pair.
spinning-threads.blogspot.com
Ah! So loving all the shoes! Dying over the studs! Love it.
ox,
-Davie+Erica
Wardrobe Stylists, NYC.
>>http://www.lpfashionphilosophy.blogspot.com
i am in love with the painting. cant even get past that.
www.yolathorp.com
Funny--- I have been on the hunt for a pair of easily worn in black flat boots..... this post absolutely is inspiring my hunt!
I love #4, the dior boot with the studs are amazing! Why do I live in Chicago when everything has to be practical!
Do I have to choose a favorite??? All of these are fierce as hell.
http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88
Great source of inspiration and round up of boots. So many great ones to choose from. x
i love #8 but i'm not that keen on the price... ha!
thsi post is absolutely fantastic! so unusual and creative, Mary Jo. A book about Vincent van Gigh is on my badside table... big hug
This is such a great idea. Brilliant painting too. I want the originals!
What KILLER inspiration! I love all of these little boots, especially the Rag & Bone ones!
xo Josie
www.winksmilestyle.com
It truly is a work of art! Love love love booties #2, 7, 8, 4 (: REALLY want #4!! :D
http://styleologie.blogspot.com/
It's a beautiful inspiration Mary Jo.
Vincent van Gogh was so talented.
It's a very nice selection.
xo
Yes.. I will take all of them.. hahaha
obsessed with boots
lee
Nice post, honey!! As always!
I consider that a hand-crafted pair of shoes is a work of art indeed.
Number 2, 4 and 7 are my favorite!!!
xoxoxo
I loooove military style and those boots are fabulous!
i need to have more boots <3
i love love love your blog !
pretty cool :D come and visit my blog
and if you like follow me and i'll follow you back
have a nice day (Ryan)
Fashion is absolutely art! Love no. 7!
I love your inspiration ! very original !
Ooh, I love these boots! #5 be mine! :) And Van Gogh is my all-time favorite artist, I just adore his work and the stories behind it.
WE ALL KNOW THAT SHOES ARE A WORK OF ART AND NOT ONLY THAT THEY SUPPORT US THRU OUT OUR LIVES...
YES, TO RICO, BROGUE BOOTS, WITH A SUIT ARE AMAZING..
I USE TO PUT MY 1 YEAR OLD SON IN LITTLE TINY WING TIPS WITH HIS GAP OVER ALLS!!!!!!
xxoo
m
I love wearing boots, I can never have enough of them!! Van Gogh is wonderful, I really appreciate how you do these posts with art..it' gives me something 'more' to read than just the everyday kind of posts I come across. I don't find too many Art related blogs sometimes & yours is always a breath of fresh air!! :)) Hope you are doing well!! xx
le tableau de V.van Gogh est magnifique.
Très jolie sélection de boots, j'aime beaucoup les modèles 2,4 et 7
Van Gogh was truly an amazing and talented artist ahead of his time.
Great post! Again :)
I love #2 and especially #7!! Although I would probably kill myself in both pairs, (I'm the girl who trips UP the stairs)! I didn't know Van Gogh never wore shoes. His life was anything but dull, huh? xo
Those Betsey Johnson boots are to die for. I definitely want those.
Alexander McQueen for the win. Damn. I'd wear my gray hair down and long and chant incantations on the street corner.
I never knew all that about Van Gogh's painting. Very interesting!
I do like boots a lot, but I'm more partial to the knee-high with low heel variety. I would like a pair of ankle boots but everything is so high these days I think I'd trip every time I wore them. But I promise once kitten heels come back I will buy a few.
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