Vincent van Gogh

Vincent Willem van Gogh – born 30 March 1853, Zundert, North Brabant; died 29 July 1890 in Auvers-sur-Oise. A Dutch painter and draftsman, he was one of the three leading figures of Post-Impressionism (alongside Paul Cézanne and Paul Gauguin), whose work had a profound influence on 20th-century painting.

Childhood and Youth

Vincent Willem van Gogh was born on 30 March 1853 in the Netherlands. He was the second child of pastor Theodorus van Gogh and Anna Cornelia. From an early age, he showed interest in art and literature, but was introverted and serious. He received his early education at home, later studying at boarding schools in Zevenbergen and Tilburg. Even then, he loved to draw and spoke several languages fluently. About his childhood, he once recalled: “My childhood was gloomy, cold and empty…”

Early Career

Before becoming an artist, Van Gogh worked as an art dealer in Paris and as a missionary among coal miners in Belgium. In 1869, he began working at the art gallery Goupil & Cie in The Hague. Later, he worked in London and Paris, where he developed a deeper interest in painting. However, he was eventually dismissed for poor performance — he spent more time with artworks than with sales. After being fired, Van Gogh decided to devote himself to religious service. He worked as a teacher and missionary among miners in the Belgian Borinage region. His selfless life won him sympathy from locals, but the church removed him from his post.

Artistic Path

In 1880, he finally decided to become an artist. He studied in Brussels and later honed his skills independently. Under the influence of his family, especially his younger brother Theo who supported him financially, Vincent began creating his first works inspired by the lives of ordinary people. Van Gogh started his artistic journey with dark, realistic paintings. After moving to Paris (1886), he encountered Impressionism, which radically influenced his style. Bright colors and expressive brushstrokes became defining features of his painting.

In 1886, he moved in with Theo in Paris, where he met the Impressionists and began using vibrant colors. In 1888, he relocated to Arles in southern France, aiming to create the “Studio of the South” — a community of artists. It was there that he painted some of his most famous works: “The Starry Night,” “Sunflowers,” and “The Bedroom in Arles.”

However, relations with other artists, especially Paul Gauguin, soon soured. His mental health deteriorated, and in 1889, he voluntarily entered a clinic in Saint-Rémy, where he continued to create.

Personal Life and Mental Health

Throughout his life, Van Gogh suffered from depression and recurring mental disorders. In 1889, he voluntarily admitted himself to a psychiatric clinic in Saint-Rémy, where he created masterpieces such as “Wheatfield with Crows” and “Irises.” He was emotionally and financially supported by his younger brother Theo until the very end.

Death and Legacy

On 27 July 1890, while staying in Auvers-sur-Oise, Van Gogh committed suicide by shooting himself in the chest. He died two days later, on 29 July 1890, at the age of 37. There is a widespread misconception that only one of Van Gogh’s paintings was sold during his lifetime — “The Red Vineyards at Arles.” In fact, this was merely the first painting sold for a significant sum — 400 francs — at the Brussels exhibition of “Les XX” in late 1889. Documents confirm the sale of at least 14 of his works starting from 1882 (as Vincent wrote to his brother Theo: “The first sheep has crossed the bridge”), and it is likely that more transactions occurred. After his death, his works gained worldwide recognition. Today, Vincent van Gogh is considered one of the founders of modern art and a symbol of the torment of a creative soul.

Vincent van Gogh - Gallery of Greatest Paintings