Art gift book ‘Color Symphonies – Farbsymphonien’

In Memory of Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh

Book series LOUNGE 2 – volume VIII

Editor: Kurt Ries

While Gauguin and van Gogh were rather different people, they had some things in common. Besides frequently discussing Buddhist subjects, they shared an intense longing for the south, the sun, and the joy of exotic colors. After reading about the Marquesas Islands, Vincent, too, felt drawn towards the “savage”, now wanting to paint childishly simple pictures like those featured in old peasant calendars. Gauguin had only strengthened his convictions when talking about the suggestive expressiveness of colors.

A lot of van Goghs paintings are downright color symphonies. Gauguin, too, was finally inspired by their exchange to arrive at his trademark painting style. At the occasion of Paul Gauguin’s 175th and Vincent van Gogh’s 170th birthday, this idea has brought together 61 artists from 32 countries to honor the expressiveness of colors with contemporary imagery. The editor of this book has divided the artworks from around the world into chapters and added selected haiku poems, quotes, descriptive slogans, and photo illustrations. The result is a multifaceted homage from the imaginative perspective of modern artists.

International Artworks and Poems

Bilingual art gift book with 75 artworks and 32 haiku poems from 32 countries.

Art and Poetry from around the world


Without color, life would be gray. This book explores the question why so many people around the world hang reproductions of Vincent van Gogh’s and Paul Gauguin’s paintings on their walls and do not mind waiting in line to see their originals. It is easy to forget that the origin of the artists’ social conflicts was first and foremost a kind of self-sacrifice, as reflected in the color eruptions of their paintings. Brightening daily life with their unconditional artistic passion, the fragrances of the South Sea and La Provence, seeing life as colorful and diverse, and respecting other cultures and their “primitive” ways as a precious asset doubtlessly constitutes their legacy. Both have had a significant influence on modern art and inspired fauvists and expressionists to use strong colors…

‘Color Symphonies – Farbsymphonien’ (Homage Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh)

The printed book is available in the book trade and in internet bookshops. 

  • Publisher: Re Di Roma-Verlag
  • Language: English, German
  • Size: 21 x 21 cm
  • Hardcover
  • ISBN: ‎978-3-98527-876-3

Book participants can purchase any number of the book from the publisher or bookseller Peecho at the reduced author’s price. Please find more information here!

Book design awards – as part of the book project:

  • Cover – 1st Prize: Ema Szabo (Romania)
  • Back cover – 2nd Prize: Takanori Iwase (Japan), Tove Andresen (Denmark)
  • Titel page – 3rd Prize: Britt Conley (USA)
  • Chapter pages – Honorable Mentions: Beverly Ashcraft-Johnson (USA), Derwin Leiva (USA), Ferenc Sebök (Belgium), George Perez (USA), Gregg Simpson (Canada), Josip Rubes (Croatia), Judith Stone (USA)

Please see in the book!