MADNESS - Metaphorical Criticism

I am not strictly speaking mad, for my mind is absolutely normal in the intervals. But during attacks it is terrible — and then I lose consciousness of everything. But that spurs me on to the work and to seriousness, as a miner who is always in danger makes haste in what he does.

Vincent Van Gogh

There are two main metaphors. The first Van Gogh comparing his moments of creative inspiration to madness and the second him comparing his attitude while painting to a miner. 

In the first metaphor the vehicle is madness and the tenor is artistic inspiration. This speaks to me, and I believe many artists. Though I do not paint I have experienced this "madness" from time to time in my writing and the different aspects of my theatre art. Situations where nothing else is as important as your thought, idea, or creation. You shut everything else out. 

This leads to the second metaphor where he has set vehicle as "the work and to seriousness, as a miner who is always in danger makes haste". Being an artist is hardly a life or death experience however Van Gogh captures the tenor of the earnestness and extreme emotion involved in this kind of artistic inspiration.

Though not all artistic creation happens in this kind of artistic inspiration, Van Gogh perfectly captures this type of madness.

The Structure sets it up for a perfect "Method to madness" that rings true with me as with many other artists.