MovieChat Forums > The Man from Earth (2007) Discussion > Why is his painting by Van Gogh just sit...

Why is his painting by Van Gogh just sitting in the dirt? lol


and then he throws it in the back of his truck like a piece of luggage

reply

Apparently that's what pig farmers do :P

reply

What is value to something who has lived so long? He did not break it or treat it with disrespect, he just moved it around like it was a regular painting, which it was. He could never do anything with it, sell it or try to get it authenticated.

reply

^^ this

reply

There is no certain answer and there are many possibilities. Some are:

1. He no longer values material wealth.
2. It is not a Van Gogh and is worth little.
3. A 14,000 year old can still be a slob and not take care of things.

Consider other explanations or create one which you find most comfortable. Nobody can say what is completely right or wrong.

reply

He no longer values material wealth.


That seems most likely. As he says, he keeps moving every ten years, and he's learnt to pack light. His whole life he has tried to stay under the radar as much as possible, moving on when people start noticing he doesn't age, and having too much conspicuous wealth would be a hindrance. So probably he only keeps a few items of sentimental value.

reply

To him it's more a gift from a friend, than an extremely valuable painting. He also says to one of his friends that he has no intention of selling it. So to him there's no reason to treat the painting with extreme caution because of the value.

reply

"

reply

It's the same way Edvard Munch treated his own paintings, kept them outdoors during winter and in the rain. He considered his paintings like people that needed to be exposed to the elements.

reply

Also think what that painting actually means to HIM Van Gogh paintings have value to us because they're old and from almost mythical painter.
To him though it happened 1/120 th of his life ago.
That's the same as a 40 year old being given something 4 and a half months ago by some absinthe drinking drunk that he'd known for a week and a half.

reply

I thought his rough treatment of this masterpiece was pretty shocking as well.

reply

I was more curious as to how the old woman was able to see and comment on the painting when it was facing away from her.

reply