Vincent van Gogh

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Stilleven met bijbel - s0008V1962 - Van Gogh Museum

Vincent van Gogh - Head of a skeleton with a burning cigarette - Google Art Project

Vincent van Gogh - Peasant woman digging

Vincent van Gogh (30 March 1853 – 29 July 1890) was a Dutch post-impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art. In just over a decade, he created about 2,100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings, most of which date from the last two years of his life. His works include landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and self-portraits, characterized by bold colors and dramatic, impulsive, and expressive brushwork that contributed to the foundations of modern art.

Biography

Early Life

Vincent Willem van Gogh was born in Zundert, Netherlands, to Theodorus van Gogh, a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church, and Anna Carbentus van Gogh. His early life was marked by a moody temperament and a passion for nature. Before becoming a painter, van Gogh tried his hand at various occupations, including working for a firm of art dealers and as a missionary in a mining region.

Artistic Career

Van Gogh's artistic career began in earnest in his late twenties, and he drew and painted with watercolors while staying in Belgium. However, it was after moving to Paris in 1886, where he met leading artists of the time such as Paul Gauguin, Camille Pissarro, and Émile Bernard, that he began to develop his unique style. Influenced by Impressionism and the vibrant light of the south of France, he began to use brighter colors, applying paint with thick, expressive brushstrokes.

In 1888, van Gogh moved to Arles, hoping to establish an art colony. His time in Arles was one of his most productive periods, creating many of his best-known works, including The Starry Night. However, it was also marked by the onset of mental health issues and his infamous act of cutting off part of his left ear.

Later Years and Death

Van Gogh's mental health continued to decline, leading to his admission to the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Despite his illness, he continued to paint and produced some of his most celebrated works during this period. In May 1890, he moved to Auvers-sur-Oise under the care of Dr. Paul Gachet, a homeopathic doctor and amateur painter. On 27 July 1890, van Gogh shot himself in the chest with a revolver and died two days later.

Legacy

Vincent van Gogh's work had a huge impact on the art world, influencing the Fauvist and Expressionist movements. His approach to painting, characterized by its emotive qualities, bold color, and expressive technique, has continued to resonate with artists and audiences alike. Today, his paintings are some of the most expensive ever sold at auction, and his life and work continue to be the subject of extensive scholarly study and popular interest.

Selected Works

• The Potato Eaters (1885)
• Sunflowers (1888)
• The Starry Night (1889)
• Café Terrace at Night (1888)
• Bedroom in Arles (1888)

See Also

• Impressionism
• Post-Impressionism
• History of painting