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The signs of the zodiac may have significantly affected the styles and lives of several modern artists.
While Cassius from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar declared that our fate is in our selves, not our stars, one can still find astrological influences in the careers of artists. Additionally, while a person’s zodiac chart is far more complicated that just his or her sun sign – and while this group by no means represents all artists born under a certain celestial pattern – here is a quick roster of how the famed twelve signs might have guided the brush, pastel, pencil or general life's path of the following brilliant minds: Aries Vincent van Gogh (March 30, 1853) showed strong tendencies associated with his sign. As leaders of the astrological line-up, Arians can have a fiery purity of character, reflected in van Gogh’s thick, blunt brushstrokes and bold colors. Van Gogh was also troubled by extreme emotions and sometimes reacted with excessive force – such as the famed cutting off of his earlobe. Even van Gogh’s suicide by gunshot reflects the self-determined approach of an Aries to take charge of his own destiny, by quickly ending it in an unfortunately ultimate way. Taurus Dante Gabriel Rossetti (May 12, 1828) was known for his sensual, lush paintings, and he even developed a stocky physique like the bull which symbolizes Taurus. Rossetti was also fond of eating and intoxicants, increasing his Taurean tendencies toward overindulgence in earthly pleasures. Artists Joseph Stella (June 13, 1877) and Gustave Courbet (June 10, 1819) shared Gemini’s gift for being clever chameleons. Italian-born Stella opted for a fresh start in America, and he liked to change styles to suit his own creative desires and confuse art critics. Frenchman Courbet’s self-portraits show him in many roles, and Courbet was also fond of playing with the minds of critics while amusing himself through the great drama of his life and work. Cancer is a sign associated with the home or homeland. Cancers Willard Metcalf (July 1, 1858), Robert Henri (June 25, 1865), and Charles Sheeler (July 16, 1883) all studied abroad yet returned to the United States to create definitive American schools of painting. Frida Kahlo (July 6, 1907) often lived away from her native Mexico, but its influence on her artwork and personal style was undeniable. Leo French Impressionist Gustave Caillebotte (August 19, 1848) showed the best of his sign’s tendencies through financial generosity and protectiveness towards starving artist friends like Claude Monet. American Andy Warhol (August 6, 1928) was a more excessive Leo, forever seeking the spotlight and knowing how to boost his public persona from Artist to Art-Star. Virgo Grandma Moses (September 7, 1860) was clean-living like many Virgos, and perhaps that’s why she celebrated 101 birthdays. Her folk art subjects and industriousness also reflected humble Virgo tendencies. Libran Suzanne Valadon (September 23, 1865) used her sign’s flair for matters of beauty and attraction to go from muse to painter, with many love affairs along the way. Georgia O‘Keeffe (November 15, 1887)’s desert scenes of bleached-white animal bones connect with Scorpio’s dark intensity, while her huge floral portraits reflect Scorpio’s other link to reproduction and regeneration. Sagittarius Jane Peterson (November 28, 1876) showed her sign’s love of travel by making her way to Europe and North Africa to find inspiration, while her friend John Singer Sargent (January 12, 1856) was more of a focused Capricorn, carefully climbing the social ladder to paint portraits of the rich and famous. Abstract icon Jackson Pollock (January 28, 1912) was a rebellious Aquarian who didn’t fit any mold, while Pisces artist Beatrice Wood (March 3, 1893) went with the flow to find her way from Dadaism to creating uniquely expressive pottery. The soft, muted tones of Pierre-Auguste Renoir (February 25, 1841) are also indicative of Piscean dreaminess. What’s Their Sign: More Artist BirthdaysNew York FEW (Figurative Expressive Works)‘s website offers a beautiful calendar featuring the birthdays of many artists; check it regularly to see who came into being on a particular day, or to follow any further intriguing astrological art patterns. To learn more about zodiac signs in general, visit Suite101’s own Astrology section . Sources
The copyright of the article Astrology and Modern Art in Modern Art History is owned by Meg Nola. Permission to republish Astrology and Modern Art in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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