Everything You Need To Know About Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent Van Gogh was a Dutch painter who was considered one of the greatest of the Post-Impressionists.

He started painting at the age of 27 and produced more than 2,100 artworks until the time of his death at 37.

His artwork consists of around 900 paintings and 1,100 drawings and sketches.

Van Gogh was known for his unique painting style, and his artwork became more popular after his death.

This article will teach us about Vincent Van Gogh and his life events, including his birth, death, tragedies, facts, and popular paintings.

Why is Van Gogh so famous?

Even though Vincent Van Gogh only sold one painting in his entire lifetime, he is one of the most famous artists in the world. Here are a few reasons:

Unique Style: Van Gogh’s paintings are completely unique. He used bold colors, thick brushstrokes, and swirling lines unlike other artists. Some of his popular paintings also give the illusion of another color.

Emotions on Canvas:  Van Gogh never just painted on canvas; his paintings carry emotions and feelings. For example, the potato eaters show sadness and the harsh reality of life. 

Relatable Story:  Van Gogh’s life story is both inspiring and tragic. He struggled with mental health issues and never achieved great success during his lifetime.  However, his dedication to his art and his unique vision resonate with people today. 

Mystery: Van Gogh’s life and death have been full of mysteries. He went to create a painting and then shot himself after painting. No one could ever fully understand the artist, which made him more popular over the years.

Van Gogh’s Early Life

Vincent van Gogh was born in 1853 in Zundert, a small village in the southern Netherlands. 

He was the eldest of six siblings. His father was an art dealer, and his mother took care of the family.

Despite this artistic influence in the family, Vincent never planned to become an artist in childhood.

He held various positions, including working in an art gallery and as a teacher. 

However, In his mid-twenties,  Van Gogh decided to pursue a career as an artist himself.  

Van Gogh’s Artistic Life

After deciding to become an artist, Van Gogh started teaching himself about art by sketching scenes from daily life. 

He visited many museums, met different artists, and tried painting in different styles while staying alone with nature.

He focused on realism and painted the people, places and landscapes of the countryside.

Later, Vincent moved to the Netherlands, where he met other artists and explored new artistic styles.

He became particularly interested in the work of Dutch realist painters like Millet.

During this period, his drawings and paintings began to show more depth and emotion.

In 1886, Van Gogh moved to Paris, the center of the art world at the time.

He was exposed to Impressionism, a movement known for its focus on light and color.

He began experimenting with brighter colors and bolder brushstrokes, developing the foundation of his signature technique.

The late 1880s were Van Gogh’s most productive years. He moved to Arles in southern France and drew landscapes.

Some of his most iconic works, including Sunflowers and The Starry Night, were drawn in the late 1880s. 

Sadly, Vincent also struggled with mental health issues during this time. 

He spent a year in a mental asylum near Saint-Rémy, where he continued to paint prolifically, focusing on still lifes and landscapes seen from his window. 

How did Van Gogh die?

Vincent van Gogh’s death in 1890 remains somewhat shrouded in mystery.

Throughout his life, he struggled with mental health challenges, experiencing periods of intense depression and anxiety.

These struggles became more pronounced in his later years, especially during his time in Arles, France.

On July 27th, 1890, Van Gogh suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

The cause of the wound is debated by historians; some believe he may have shot himself, while others talk about the possibility of an accidental shooting by someone else.

Sadly, Van Gogh died after two days of being shot, July 29th, 1890, at the young age of 37. 

Despite achieving limited recognition during his lifetime and selling only a handful of paintings, Van Gogh’s work became more popular after his mysterious death.

Popular Paintings of Van Gogh 

Here are a few popular Van Gogh Paintings:

Starry Nights: Located in MoMA, NYC, it is Van Gogh’s most popular masterpiece. It shows a swirling night sky filled with bright stars and a glowing crescent moon. Van Gogh made it when he was in an asylum room at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.

Self Portraits: Van Gogh made 35 self-portraits throughout his career, which tell us about his appearance at different stages of life. You can see some of them at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

Sunflowers: Sunflowers is a series of paintings by Van Gogh. One of their most popular is titled ‘Sunflowers’, made with just three shades of yellow. It is also located in the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam.

Potato Eaters: Painted in 1885, it portrays a family of peasants sharing a meal of potatoes around the table. It reflects the peasants’ dull scene and hard work through rough faces and hands.

Bedroom in Arles: Bedroom in Arles is another series of three paintings by Vincent Van Gogh, created between 1888 and 1889.

It shows a bedroom with a narrow bed, a small table, and personal belongings. The original one is kept at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

Checkout the list of best paintings at Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, Here →

Van Gogh and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam

While Vincent van Gogh himself only sold a handful of paintings during his lifetime, his work became incredibly popular later because of the efforts of his loved ones.

Vincent’s younger brother had kept many of Vincent’s paintings, and after Theo’s own passing in 1891, his wife Jo became determined to share Vincent’s art with the world. 

Jo van Gogh-Bonger became a collector and acquired more of Vincent’s artwork from various sources. 

Jo also began promoting Vincent’s work by organizing exhibitions. Slowly, Van Gogh’s paintings started gaining recognition from artists and critics.

A turning point came in 1905 when Jo van Gogh-Bonger donated a large collection of Vincent’s paintings and drawings to the city of Amsterdam. 

This generous act marked the foundation of the Van Gogh Museum by nephew Vincent van Gogh (1890–1978).

However, the museum didn’t open to the public until 1973, and the collection continued to grow. 

The Van Gogh Museum acquired even more of Vincent’s pieces through purchases, donations, and loans.  

Today, the museum houses the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings and drawings, attracting millions of visitors each year.

Interesting Facts about Vincent Van Gogh’s Life

Here are some interesting facts about Vincent Van Gogh’s life:

• Van Gogh created hundreds of paintings and drawings in just about 10 years! That’s an average of a new artwork every 36 hours! 
  
• Vincent van Gogh lost part of his left ear due to cutting off. Theories suggest he might have cut it off himself during a mental health episode. He even drew a self-portrait of his cut-off ears.
  
• Van Gogh wasn’t always an artist.  Before dedicating himself to art in his mid-twenties, he held various jobs, including working in an art gallery and even teaching. 
  
• Despite his artistic talent, Van Gogh wasn’t wealthy.  He often lived on a simple bread, coffee, and cigarettes diet, prioritizing his art supplies over fancy meals.
  
• Vincent’s younger brother, Theo, was a huge source of encouragement.  Theo believed in Vincent’s artistic talent and financially supported him throughout his career. 

• Many of the popular Van Gogh paintings were lost because people didn’t see their value at the time. 

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