Van Gogh Reborn!

Chapter 166: Eroica (2)

Chapter 166 Eroica (2)

It was the sea.

For a moment, I felt like I had fallen into the middle of the sea, where the waves were rippling.

Every time I moved my eyes, blue fish were darting around.

The movement of the school of fish, forming a circle around a point, was lively like the waves.

How unique.

The swaying waves had a three-dimensional effect, as if I was looking at them from the side.

But it was a view from above the water.

What kind of magic did you use?

Pierre Malo wondered how he could achieve such an effect with a simple repeating pattern.

He took a step closer.

His eyes were drawn to the white pattern that repeated between the fish.

The white pattern blended with the fish, creating the impression of broken waves with white foam.

Thats why I could tell it was the sea, even without water.

Pierre Malo wanted to feel the fantastic experience that <Summer Waves> gave him more closely, so he leaned his face in.

Ah.

An exclamation came out of him.

The white part that he thought was the soup of the waves turned out to be a brush when he looked at it closely.1)

The fish were all the same shape, but the brushes that existed between them were slightly different.

He used the paint very roughly, so the brush marks were clearly visible.

The ends were split, and sometimes they soaked up so much paint that they covered the fish.

The secret to making the simple fish pattern look dynamic was the optical illusion.

How cool.

Pierre Malo was bewildered.

There were some painters who had moved his heart so far.

But <Summer Waves> completely overturned the impression he had received from Go Hoon.

Could you draw such a picture?

<Sunflowers>, <Guests>, <Frosty Wheat Fields>, <Masks>, etc. Go Hoon had always found meaning in things that could be seen in reality.

Go Hoons strength was his unique vision and his ability to express it in a powerful image.

But what about <Summer Waves>?

An image that could not exist in reality.

An abstract work that meticulously conceived the reality of the waves.

Anyone could understand it and it invited the viewer to the middle of the sea in the most effective way.

He had known and lived with many geniuses, but he had to admit it.

This person, who conveyed a wonder that he had never experienced before, was a painter sent by heaven.

Concept art work helped me.

Go Hoon opened his mouth.

Concept art?

"Yes. It was fun to show the reality in a twisted way. I got inspiration from Manet for the composition. And Escher and Bazzarelli too."2)

The boy broke and rebuilt himself through the works of later generations.

He was interested in the unique and new composition of Edouard Manets <The Cafe of Polly Berger>. And in the process of drawing the concept art <Bullet> of the movie <Giamseong>, he went through countless trials and errors and expanded his realm of ideas.

That experience was the basis of <Summer Waves>.

The boy wanted to convey the feeling he got from the wavy sea, so he thought endlessly with various optical principles.

And in the end, he amazed the craftsmen who had seen many masterpieces.

Pierre Malo was immersed in his long admiration again after hearing Go Hoons words.

How far did you think?

The brush marks that Go Hoon left looked like broken waves, but at the same time, they were interpreted as expressing many brushes.

Could it be a coincidence that he submitted such a work to the Art Nouveau competition, where many painters participated with their dreams and passions?

The sight of each movement gathering and forming a big wave felt like an artist participating in the Art Nouveau competition.

How different can it be?

Pierre Malo thought of another genius.

He was ahead of anyone else, and he formed a big wave with those who followed him.

He was a heroic existence.

On the other hand, the genius in front of him was with many people, and he communicated with them and constantly influenced each other.

The two geniuses who caused the big trend of this era had such different attitudes toward art.

Pierre Malo was lost in deep thought about what had happened in France for the last month and <Summer Waves>.

He thought of the heroic dictator and the republican.

How long had it been?

Its difficult.

He finally opened his heavy mouth.

I dont know if I can find the frame for this work.

The frame was a puzzle for Pierre Malo.

Making a frame was the process of finding the one piece that each work should have.

Go Hoon smiled brightly.

If Malo cant find it, no one can.

Pierre Malo shook his head at the boys smile.

Thats true.

He couldnt get a grip on it, but at the same time, he felt a competitive spirit.

How many times would he meet in his life?

He didnt want to miss this work.

It might take some time, so please wait patiently. When was the deadline?

November 10th.

Ill try to get it ready by the 1st.

Go Hoon trusted Pierre Malo, whose frame for <Frosty Wheat Fields> was so perfect.

Please.

A little later.

After seeing off Go Hoon and Goh Soo-yeol, Pierre Malo couldnt take his eyes off <Summer Waves>.

Then he suddenly wondered how Henri Marso would see this picture.

They seemed to get along well sometimes, but they didnt get close to each other. Wasnt it because of this difference in thought?

He wanted to hear his appreciation.

Itll be fine.

Although many flying and rising painters participated, Pierre Malo dared to assert.

The grand prize of this Art Nouveau competition could not be anything but <Summer Waves>.

Among the many works, it was the one that caught the eye, moved the heart, and felt the depth.

He thought it was natural.

Ring- Ring-

Pierre Malo turned on the intercom.

Who is it?

-Sir, someone came to visit you with a letter of recommendation from Chairman Chevasson.

Who is it? It seemed that his identity was not confirmed.

But it was none other than Simon Chevasson, the chairman of SNBA, who wrote a letter of recommendation for him, so I was willing to meet him.

What can I do for you?

-A production request.

Hmm. Please show me.

I called an employee and ordered him to move <Summer Waves> inside.

A few moments later, an old man with a bent back entered the reception room, guided by the employee.

He must have been around seventy.

He looked cautious and weary.

I was surprised to see that the old man was a painter.

Please have a seat. Im Pierre Malo.

Thank you.

The employee placed the old mans painting and Chairman Chevassons letter of recommendation on the table and left.

Hmm.

Chairman Chevasson, who introduced the old man as an old friend, didnt ask me to make a frame, but just to look at the painting.

It was a request that I could easily accept, but the afterglow of the best work remained, and I didnt think I would be impressed by any painting at this point.

I took a deep breath and exhaled to clear my mind a little.

May I look at the work?

Yes.

I unwrapped the package with his permission.

What is the title?

"Beaut."3)

The moment the 30P canvas revealed its full appearance, I couldnt move.

My hand stopped, and only my eyes and heart were stirred.

A ray of light piercing the darkness illuminated a man.

He wore a pure white cape and gold-trimmed shoes, and he faced forward with dignity.

How?

I was astonished.

The canvas and paint couldnt possibly shine, but the old mans work was clearly dazzling.

The contrast of light and shadow that leaked through the gaps of his body made the work seem to glow.

Who is he?

I couldnt not know the person who drew this picture.

The person who completed this work couldnt be unknown in the art world, but the old man was someone I saw for the first time today.

Who is this person?

The character in the work was only seen from behind, so I couldnt tell who he was.

A transcendent who pierced the darkness with the light that shone on him.

There was a sublime feeling that made me wonder if it was a work related to some religion.

The title <Beauty> had many meanings, and people pursued different aesthetics, but I was sure that no one would fail to find beauty in this work.

I would like to ask you to make a frame.

The old man, who had been waiting calmly, opened his mouth. He was neither humble nor arrogant.

I barely regained my reason.

Did you paint this, sir?

The old man didnt answer.

He didnt deny or affirm, he just watched me.

If I urged him to answer, he seemed to leave at any moment, so I turned my breath and explained.

Im also interested in this work. Id love to make it for you. But it might take some time, is that okay?

As long as its by 4 p.m. on November 10th, anytime is fine.

November 10th?

I recalled the conversation I had with Go Hoon a while ago.

The deadline for submitting works to the Art Nouveau competition was November 10th.

The old man didnt seem to want to talk about anything unrelated to the frame, so I didnt bother to confirm.

Yes. Please come by in the morning of the 10th and Ill have it ready.

I looked at it again and nodded. I turned on the tablet and carefully selected the materials I needed.

It wasnt easy.

If I hesitated to grasp the feeling of Go Hoons <Summer Waves>, I was afraid to damage the old mans , which was so firm.

I repeated what I had said to Go Hoon.

Ill ask for the payment when you receive it.

Thank you.

The old man nodded affirmatively and left his contact information before leaving the store with difficulty.

Only after his figure disappeared from sight did I return to the two works and ponder.

I had asserted that he would win.

But now I couldnt find him anymore.

What is this light?

I was curious about the reason why it shone.

I couldnt achieve this effect with any paint or material I knew.

No.

I sighed softly as I found a clue from a distant memory.

There were some things of the Chinese emperor that emitted this light.

But even the ones that were stored in the museum were discolored or lost their light, while his was incomparably bright.

If he could find something like this.

He was perfect in conceiving, preparing, and expressing his work.

The best frame maker in France couldnt believe that he didnt know such a painter.

I really dont know.

***

1. 1. A surfing term. The part where the waves break and turn white with foam.

1. 1. douard Manet, Maurits Cornelis Escher, Victor Vassarely

1. 1. Beaut (Fr): beauty.

The beauty of things, bodies. A beautiful person.