“When I have a terrible need of – shall I say the word – religion. Then I go out and paint the stars.” – Vincent Van Gogh in a letter to his brother Theo
“The Angel (After Rembrandt)” is also known as “Head of an Angel (After Rembrandt)” and “Half Figure of an Angel (After Rembrandt).” It’s an oil painting that looks more like watercolors than oils completed in September 1899, less than a year before Vincent Van Gogh would die of a gunshot wound.
Although not considered one of Van Gogh’s best works, it is one of his most notorious because the current location of the painting is unknown. Even the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, considered the most knowledgeable source of information on the enigmatic artist, has no idea where the painting is now or whether it has been accidentally destroyed or sitting in a private collection.
Painting Subject Matter
Rembrandt (1606 – 1669) painted many angels in his legendary career as well as other religious scenes. Van Gogh would copy numerous Rembrandts, especially those featuring angels. This particular painting is done mainly in shades of blue with a yellow halo. These shades and streaks of yellow can be seen in Van Gogh’s famous painting “The Starry Night.” The angel’s downcast face is in pale skin tones, making the face pop out from the rest of the painting.
The angel is pretty but is not looking at the viewer. One arm is outstretched to the viewer, but the palm is tightly closed. The angel seems at once to be revelatory and yet still retains his secrets, almost teasing the viewer with his closed eyes, seraphic smile and closed hand. The angel mirrors Van Gogh’s own dilemma with Christianity.
Van Gogh and Christianity
Van Gogh was a minister in an impoverished mining community in Belgium when he was struck by the desire to create. His superiors removed him from the ministry because he looked and acted more like one of the miners than a minister. He was sent home in disgrace. It also during this time that Van Gogh doubted the same beliefs that he was preaching. Why would a loving God allow such suffering?
Van Gogh wrestled with Christianity the way that Jacob wrestled with the Angel – another Biblical scene Rembrandt painted but Van Gogh declined to copy. The angel in that painting has his eye half-opened and looks on Jacob with pity. Van Gogh’s angel looks very much like this angel, but does not show pity.