Almond Blossom

 

              The art piece I chose was one painted by Van Gough, and it was titled “Almond Blossom”. The first time I had seen this piece was when it was on display at the Vincent Van Gough Museum I had visited in Amsterdam. We were in Belgium visiting my mom’s side of the family for three weeks in the summer and had decided to go as a fun side trip to allow my oma and opa (grandma and grandpa) to rest a little. I still remember arriving in Amsterdam and feeling so comforted by the small coffee shops, and the old buildings, built with such character and history (comforted by everything except the immense smell of pot). Europe, especially Belgium, has always felt like home to me, I know it’s cliché, but Its always held a special place in my heart.

              When we would visit Hasselt (the city near my mom’s house) in the winter, I would watch as all the high schoolers from the nearby schools got off and would bike or walk with all of their friends to the city and enjoy hot chocolate or coffee together in these little restaurants. I always watched and imagined that my friends and I could do the same. The comfort of having the whole schools together and getting to grow up together seems so appealing to me. In Troy High, our school is so populated I would go to PSAT bubbling and not know half the kids there were in my grade, let alone went to the school. I had wished that our school was more personal and that everyone knew each other. Belgium has always felt so personal to me, my uncle and grandparents on my mom’s side have, despite the distance, stayed super close and connected to the family. My uncle has his own flower shop in the small town and always teases that when I eventually move to Belgium I can help run the business.

              This all leads back to the painting because the “Almond Blossom”, represents a gift from Van Gough to his brother and his wife’s child, who they had named after Vincent Van Gough. It represents a close-knit family, and it also represents my memories of Belgium. Every time I see this painting, it makes me feel comforted by the thought of Belgium and my family who lives over there.