  Heidegger’s subtle but ambitious effort to show phenomenologically how aesthetics can transcend itself from within in an encounter with Van Gogh’s painting has not been well understood, and Heidegger’s attempt, as part of that effort, to link Van Gogh’s painting with the deep spiritual wisdom of rural life proved highly controversial (to say the least).  Unfortunately, this controversy has subsequently distracted readers from understanding what Heidegger was really trying to do. By working through this controversy here, however, we can finally resolve it, draw its important lessons, and so put it behind us.