The dramatic life of Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853 in Groot - Zundert, a small town in Holland. His father was a reverend of the protestant church and his mother took care of the house and children. The little boy suffered from a severe mental instability and died from his own hands. Although he changed the vision on art for the rest of the world history.

Vincent van Gogh had three sisters and two brothers. He was a quiet child who spent his time drawing. At the age of 16 the joung boy was employed by the Hague gallery. Later he was transferred to London and in 1875 in Paris, where he met Pissaro, Monet and Gauguin. 

Vincent lost his desire to become a professional artist. He abandoned his art lessons and joined the miners of Borinage. The interaction with the workers and their lifestyle is later shown in his works. He was fascinated to paint the peasant life.

Theo, his brother, convinced Vincent to become an artist. Despite this fact Van Gogh doubted his abilities and his talent. The same oppinion were his parents. However his brother pressured him, pushed him forward to continue and gave him the financial support. There was only one result: the doubtfull, shy artist was actually a brilliant talent, who created masterpieces.

Vincent van Gogh moved to Arles together with his friend Paul Gauguin and wanted to creat a school of art.  He began to paint sunflowers to decorate Gauguin's  bedroom. These became later one of the artist’s signature and the most expenssive painting from our days.

Because of his mental illness he suffered various types of epilepsy, psychotic attacks and delusions. He once ran after his friend with a knife, than he mutilated his ear and gave it to a prostituate as a gift. Van Gogh was hospitalized and despite his suffer he managed to create The Starry Night, which became the most popular work and one of the most influence pieces in the history of art.

On July 27, 1890 he attempted suicide by shooting himself in the chest. Athough he died only two days later because of his wound. Theo van Gogh collected Vincent’s work and after his death his wife took the collection and published it in Holland, where Vincent van Gogh became famous nearly instantly.

Van Gogh is inimitable. The form and the content of his works is powerfull, dramatic, lyracally and emotional. His paintings reached today records: they are sold for hundreds of millions of dollars.



Image: cfs2.tistory.com

A.V.
artline.ro editor