Post-Van Gogh Retrospective:
Post-Van Gogh Series

Dr. T.F. Chen

T.F. Chen And Van Gogh
Pastel on cardboard
18" x 24"
1989

In October 1989, Chen painted this double portrait of "T.F. Chen and Van Gogh."  Six months later, Chen decided to produce his "Post - Van Gogh Series," one-hundred paintings relating to Van Gogh as a tribute for the occasion of Vincent's Centennial Celebration in 1990 (Van Gogh committed suicide in 1890).  During these one-hundred years. Van Gogh's genius has come to be recognized world wide.  His artwork has been auctioned off at record-breaking prices in the international art world, and in 1990, Van Gogh's homeland of Holland threw an extravagant celebration in his honor.  Upon this occasion, Chen presented his one-hundred paintings on Van Gogh as his homage to the master who had first inspired him to be an artist.

This painting of "T.F. Chen and Van Gogh" came about unpredictably and spontaneously.  Chen had just completed his "Eiffel Tower Series" as a tribute to the symbol of the French capitol where he had lived for twelve years, and his "Statue of Liberty Series," which consisted of one-hundred paintings dedicated to the Centennial Celebration of the Liberty Lady.  Finished with those themes, Chen was browsing around at random, looking for a subject to paint.  Then suddenly, an idea struck him and he grabbed a sheet of cardboard and some pastels, and finished this artwork in one hour.  The Van Gogh portrait here is based on his "Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat" (1887).  As for Chen, he simply held up a mirror and drew his own refection.  The background is vividly yet freely divided into color zones to outline the figures.  Chen’s bespectacled face turns towards us in child-like frankness, escorted by his legendary tutor, Vincent the Great!

 Indeed, this artwork can be seen as an unconscious prelude to Chen’s later "Post - Van Gogh Series."