It is shocking to see that it is also from 1911 and to be reminded how quickly Cubism went off the rails toward academism in the hands of lesser artists.

Van Gogh's question marks a transition from Impressionism to an art of spiritual harmony, as the coming of the blue shadow marked a transition from academism to Impressionism.

It would, however, be precipitate to say that there are no basic principles nor firm rules in painting, or that a search for them leads inevitably to academism.