The life of Vincent van Gogh is one of the most compelling and tragic stories in the world of art. Born on March 30, 1853, in Zundert, Netherlands, into a religious and middle-class family, van Gogh’s path to becoming one of the most influential painters in history was anything but conventional. His father, Theodorus van Gogh, was a Protestant minister, and his mother, Anna Cornelia Carbentus, encouraged Vincent’s early love for nature and drawing. He was the eldest surviving child among six siblings, including his younger brother Theo van Gogh, who would later become his closest confidant, unwavering supporter, and a key figure in his artistic journey.
Vincent van Gogh is a Dutch post-impressionist painter. Famous paintings include Sunflowers, The Starry Night, and Cafe Terrace at Night. Though van Gogh created more than 2,100 known works, including approximately 860 oil paintings and over 1,300 drawings, his life was marked by constant struggles of poverty, rejection, and mental illness. Today, his paintings are celebrated for their emotional intensity, bold use of colour, and innovative techniques, making him a symbol of artistic resilience and genius.
Early Life and Struggles: Vincent Van Gogh
Vincent showed an early interest in art as a child, often sketching and observing the natural beauty around him in Zundert. However, his early career aspirations were focused on following in his father’s footsteps as a minister. In 1869, at the age of 16, he began working as an apprentice at the international art dealership Goupil & Cie in The Hague. Although he was exposed to art during his time there, the commercial aspects of the business did not appeal to him. By 1876, after several transfers and increasing dissatisfaction, he was dismissed.
Vincent’s life took another turn when he decided to pursue religion, enrolling in theological studies. However, his unconventional methods and inability to meet academic expectations caused him to abandon this path as well. In 1879, while serving as a missionary in the Borinage, a poor mining region in Belgium, he adopted an austere lifestyle to empathize with the miners. He gave away his possessions and lived in extreme poverty, which ultimately led to his dismissal. This period of personal crisis marked a turning point in Vincent’s life, as he began channelling his emotions and observations into art.
Transition to Art
At the age of 27, with the encouragement of Theo, Vincent decided to pursue art as his true calling. He studied drawing and painting under the guidance of his cousin-in-law Anton Mauve and was influenced by the works of the Barbizon School and Jean-François Millet. His early works, such as The Potato Eaters (1885), focused on rural life and the struggles of ordinary people, characterized by dark tones and sombre realism.
The Paris Years: Exposure to New Influences
In 1886, van Gogh moved to Paris to live with Theo, who worked as an art dealer. Immersed in the vibrant Parisian art scene, Vincent encountered Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists like Claude Monet, Paul Gauguin, and Georges Seurat. Their innovative use of light, colour, and modern techniques deeply influenced him.
During this period, Vincent’s style evolved significantly. His palette brightened, and his brushwork became more expressive. Works like Bouquet of Flowers in a Vase (1887) and Portrait of Père Tanguy (1887) reflect his experimentation with colour and light.
The Arles Period: A Burst of Creativity
In 1888, van Gogh moved to Arles in search of inspiration from the bright colours and natural beauty of the South of France. This period marked the peak of his creativity, as he produced over 300 paintings and drawings in just 15 months. During his time in Arles (1888–1889), van Gogh’s drawings often depicted the Provençal landscape, capturing the region’s unique light and natural beauty. He used a variety of techniques, including pencil, ink, and watercolour, to convey the textures and rhythms of rural life. His drawings from this period are characterized by expressive lines and a dynamic use of perspective, reflecting his deep connection to the environment. His works from this time include:
- Sunflowers (1888): It is a series of still-life paintings showcasing bright yellow sunflowers, symbolizing hope, friendship, and gratitude. Vincent wanted these paintings to create a welcoming atmosphere for his envisioned artist community in the “Yellow House” in Arles. The bold use of yellows captures optimism and vitality.
- The Bedroom (1888): This painting is a depiction of his modest bedroom in the Yellow House. The painting uses simplified forms and contrasting colours to convey a sense of tranquility and personal retreat, while the slightly skewed perspective hints at Vincent’s emotional instability.
- The Café Terrace at Night (1888): This painting is a vibrant depiction of a night café in Arles under a starry sky. The painting portrays a welcoming, dreamlike atmosphere. Vincent wanted to explore the beauty of nighttime scenes without relying on black, which he considered a “dead” colour.
- Starry Night Over the Rhône (1888): It is an early exploration of the night sky, reflecting Vincent’s fascination with celestial beauty and human connection. The shimmering reflections of stars and gaslights on the Rhône River evoke a sense of romance and infinite possibilities.
- The Sower (1888): This painting is inspired by the rural labourers of Provence; this painting pays homage to the cycle of life and hard work. The golden sky and bold outlines emphasize the spiritual significance of sowing seeds, symbolizing hope, and renewal.
- The Yellow House (1888): It is a depiction of the house where Vincent lived and worked in Arles, intending to create an artists’ colony. The bright yellow hues symbolize warmth and creativity, but the empty street reflects Vincent’s loneliness and longing for companionship.
- The Red Vineyard (1888): The only painting Vincent sold during his lifetime. It portrays labourers harvesting grapes under a glowing red sky. The painting celebrates the connection between human labour and the earth, blending realism with emotional intensity.
- Van Gogh’s Chair (1888): It is a symbolic self-portrait of Vincent, represented by a simple chair with a pipe and tobacco. The earthy tones and modest subject reflect Vincent’s humility and introspection.
- Peach Blossom in the Crau (1889): This is a serene landscape of blossoming peach trees under a pale blue sky. This painting reflects Vincent’s admiration for the natural cycles of life and his desire to capture fleeting beauty.
- Night Café (1888): This is a depiction of a dimly lit café in Arles, with garish colours and a claustrophobic atmosphere. Vincent described the café as a place where one could “go mad.” The oppressive red and green tones convey the discomfort and alienation he felt.
Van Gogh hoped to establish an artists’ community in Arles and invited Paul Gauguin to join him. However, their partnership ended in a dramatic conflict, culminating in the infamous incident where Vincent mutilated his own ear. This marked the beginning of his battles with mental illness.
Love Life and Personal Relationships: Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh’s love life was tumultuous and filled with heartbreak. While he longed for companionship, his intense personality and financial instability made relationships difficult. He fell in love several times, including with his cousin Kee Vos-Stricker, who rejected his advances. Later, he had a relationship with Sien Hoornik, a former prostitute, but the relationship ended due to familial and financial pressures. Vincent never married or had children, and his yearning for love often deepened his sense of isolation and despair.
Mental Illness and Artistic Resilience
After his breakdown in Arles and the infamous incident of cutting off his ear, Vincent voluntarily admitted himself to the asylum at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in 1889. Despite his struggles with mental illness, this period saw Vincent produce some of his most iconic and emotionally charged works and producing some of his most celebrated works. Van Gogh continued to draw extensively. His subjects included the asylum’s interior, its gardens, and the surrounding countryside. Despite his mental health struggles, his drawings from this period exhibit a remarkable clarity and intensity. He often used reed pens to create bold, swirling lines, imbuing his works with a sense of movement and emotional depth. The choice of colours in his later drawings became more vibrant and contrasting, a departure from the darker tones of his earlier works, symbolizing his ongoing search for personal expression through colour.
Here are 5 significant paintings from this time:
- Starry Night (1889): This is his most famous work, depicting a swirling night sky over a quiet village. The dynamic, almost chaotic swirls of the sky reflect Vincent’s emotional turbulence, while the cypress tree symbolizes a connection between earth and the heavens.
- Irises (1889): This is detailed study of blooming irises in the asylum garden. The vibrant blues and greens convey Vincent’s deep love for nature and his ability to find solace in its beauty.
- Wheatfield with Cypresses (1889): This is a series of landscapes featuring golden wheat fields and tall cypress trees under a vivid sky. The contrasting colours and flowing lines capture the harmony and energy of the natural world, offering a glimpse of peace amidst Vincent’s struggles.
- The Garden at Saint-Paul Hospital (1889): This depiction of the enclosed garden where Vincent often walked during his stay at the asylum. The quiet, structured composition reflects the balance Vincent sought in his turbulent life.
- The Olive Trees (1889): It is a series of paintings inspired by the olive groves near the asylum. The twisting forms of the trees mirror Vincent’s inner struggles, while the vibrant colours capture the vitality of nature.
Vincent Van Gogh’s Art is Preserved
Vincent van Gogh’s works is preserved and celebrated in major art institutions worldwide, with the largest collection housed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This museum holds over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and 700 letters, offering a comprehensive view of his artistic journey. In addition to the Van Gogh Museum, other significant galleries showcasing his masterpieces include:
- The Musée d’Orsay in Paris, France, which features iconic works such as Starry Night Over the Rhône and Bedroom in Arles.
- The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, USA, which displays The Starry Night, one of his most celebrated paintings.
- The National Gallery in London, UK, home to Sunflowers, a vital piece from his Arles period.
- The Art Institute of Chicago, USA, which houses The Bedroom, an intimate portrayal of his living quarters in Arles.
These institutions play a crucial role in preserving and showcasing van Gogh’s legacy, allowing millions to experience his genius firsthand.
Final Years of Vincent Van Gogh
In May 1890, Vincent moved to Auvers-sur-Oise, near Paris, under the care of Dr. Paul Gachet. In Auvers, Vincent found peace and was close to his brother Theo in Paris, whom he goes and meet sometime. He also met Dr. Paul Gachet, who looked after his health. Gachet, an amateur painter, encouraged Vincent to focus entirely on his art. Vincent did so, painting the gardens and wheatfields around the village almost every day. During this time, his health seemed to improve as well.
During this time, he painted over 70 works in just two months, including Portrait of Dr. Gachet (1890) and Wheatfield with Crows (1890), often regarded as his final work. These paintings convey a sense of unease and foreshadow his tragic end.
On July 27, 1890, van Gogh sustained a gunshot wound, believed to be self-inflicted, and died two days later, with Theo by his side. He was 37 years old. Despite selling only one painting during his lifetime The Red Vineyard (1888) van Gogh’s legacy as a revolutionary artist continues to grow.
Why Vincent Van Gogh Inflicted the Gunshot
Vincent van Gogh died tragically at the age of 37 on July 29, 1890, two days after sustaining a gunshot wound to his chest. While the exact circumstances remain unclear, it is widely believed that he inflicted the wound himself in a wheat field near Auvers-sur-Oise. Years of malnutrition, alcohol abuse, and untreated illnesses took a toll on his physical and mental health. Vincent suffered from severe depression, psychosis, and possibly bipolar disorder, which made life for him increasingly unbearable. Struggling with severe mental health issues, feelings of isolation, and financial dependency on his brother [Theo] which likely caused him feelings of guilt and burden. Vincent endured immense inner turmoil. Despite his artistic output, he faced continual rejection from the art world and society. His dream of creating an artist community in Arles had failed. These challenges, compounded by his fragile mental state, likely contributed to his tragic decision to shoot himself. Although he survived the initial wound, Vincent succumbed to his injuries two days later, with Theo by his side when he died, and his last words reportedly were, “The sadness will last forever.”
Final Thoughts
Today, Vincent van Gogh is celebrated as one of the greatest painters in history. In the final years of his life, Vincent van Gogh’s artistic output was both prolific and emotionally charged. Between 1888 and 1890, he created approximately 900 paintings and over 1,100 drawings, culminating in a total of more than 2,000 artworks.
Van Gogh’s relentless pursuit of artistic expression, even amidst personal turmoil, underscores his resilience and dedication to his craft. His late drawings not only reflect his evolving style but also offer profound insights into his emotional and psychological state during the final years of his life.
