"The truth is, we cannot speak other than by our paintings."
Loving Vincent - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
You want to know so much about his death, but what do you know of his life?
— Marguerite Gachet
Context:
Marguerite directs this line at Armand during his persistent questioning about Vincent's final days. Frustrated by his focus on the salacious details of the death, she attempts to redirect his investigation towards a more meaningful appreciation of Vincent's existence.
Meaning:
This quote serves as the film's central thesis, challenging both Armand and the audience to look beyond the sensationalism of Van Gogh's suicide. It urges a deeper, more empathetic understanding of his life, struggles, and humanity, rather than focusing solely on the morbid mystery of his end.
What am I in the eyes of most people? A nobody, a non-entity, an unpleasant person... I should one day like to show by my work what such an eccentric, such a nobody, has in his heart.
— Vincent van Gogh (from his letters)
Context:
This quote is used in voice-over as Vincent's words are read, often accompanying a flashback or a montage of his paintings. It provides direct insight into his feelings of inadequacy and his unwavering faith in the expressive power of his work.
Meaning:
This quote, taken from Van Gogh's actual letters, encapsulates his painful awareness of his social alienation and his profound hope that his art would ultimately communicate his inner world. It is a declaration of his artistic mission: to reveal the depth of feeling within a person dismissed by society.
Live longer, you'll see. Life can bring down even the strong.
— Postman Joseph Roulin
Context:
Joseph Roulin says this to his son Armand early in the film, trying to temper Armand's youthful arrogance and his harsh judgment of Vincent's apparent weakness in committing suicide.
Meaning:
This piece of fatherly wisdom expresses a world-weary understanding of life's hardships. It serves as a caution against judging those who, like Vincent, have seemingly succumbed to despair, suggesting that immense struggle can break anyone, regardless of their inner strength.
We cannot speak other than by our paintings.
— Vincent van Gogh (from his letters)
Context:
The film opens with this quote on screen, setting the thematic stage for the entire story. It is a guiding principle for the filmmakers, who use Van Gogh's art as the primary medium to tell his story.
Meaning:
This powerful statement, which opens the film, argues that the ultimate truth of an artist's life and soul is found within their work. It suggests that language and speculation are inadequate to capture his essence, and that only through his canvases can he be truly understood.