“My Own Portrait in Writing”: Self-Fashioning in the Letters of Vincent van Gogh

“My Own Portrait in Writing” addresses Vincent van Gogh’s letters from a literary theoretical point of view, namely Mikhail Bakhtin’s theory of self-consciousness as a dialogue between “self” and “other.” Grant addresses how Van Gogh’s letters are not merely a personal narrative, but rather a form of “double-voiced discourse” that is indicative of the self-stylization of the artist. The book highlights the interplay of Van Gogh’s visual art and verbal art, allowing readers to see the workings of his creative imagination and the permeable boundaries between art media. The volume invites readers to treat the letters as a singular literary achievement, full of themes of identity, religion, and artistic exploration. Educators can use excerpts to introduce themes of identity and creativity, asking students to analyze how the letters illustrate Van Gogh’s artistic vision. Students can also do comparative analyses and consider how written and visual media convey meaning. Creative assignments, such as writing their own “self-portraits” can tap into an extended sense of self-awareness and communication.

Athabasca University Press is an open access publisher. An open access version and a free PDF of this resource can be found on their website.