What is an Author?

 


    Van Gogh is a renowned artist, making all his work automatically elevated because of his name. In What is an Author?, Foucault exclaims, “Literary anonymity was of interest only as a puzzle to be solved as, in our day, literary works are dominated by the sovereignty of the author” (pg. 306, 1969).  Van Gogh is taught throughout art history for many age groups. His story of struggling with a mental illness is well known and his name holds great weight in the art world.



    We can look at Van Gogh's self-portrait, and many individuals will know who painted it and the artist who completed it. Without the attachment behind Van Gogh's famous name, we cannot be sure that his self-portrait would be as prominent as it is. It is uncertain how Van Gogh's work would be recognized without his distinctive painting style, which identifies his creations.

Foucault, M. (1969). What is an Author?


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