Vincent van Gogh:

 

Here’s an overview of Vincent van Gogh:

Full Name: Vincent Willem van Gogh
Born: March 30, 1853, Zundert, Netherlands
Died: July 29, 1890, Auvers-sur-Oise, France
Nationality: Dutch
Occupation: Painter, draftsman
Movement: Post-Impressionism

Biography

Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch painter known for his vivid, emotional, and expressive style. He struggled with mental health issues throughout his life, and his work was not widely recognized during his lifetime. Van Gogh produced over 2,100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings, many created in the last two years of his life.

He moved to Paris in 1886, where he met other influential artists like Paul Gauguin and Camille Pissarro, absorbing Impressionist and Neo-Impressionist techniques. Later, he moved to Arles in southern France, creating his most famous works during this period. Van Gogh’s use of bold colors, dynamic brushwork, and emotional intensity set him apart from his contemporaries.

Style and Technique

• Brushwork: Thick, expressive strokes (impasto technique)

• Color: Strong, vibrant colors to convey emotion

• Subjects: Landscapes, portraits, still lifes, and everyday scenes

• Influences: Impressionism, Japanese prints

Famous Works

1. Starry Night (1889) – Iconic swirling night sky over Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

1. Sunflowers (1888) – Series of bright, lively sunflower paintings

1. The Bedroom (1888) – His bedroom in Arles, with vivid, simple colors

1. Irises (1889) – Painted while he was in the asylum at Saint-Rémy

1. Café Terrace at Night (1888) – Early example of his nighttime scenes

Legacy

Van Gogh died at age 37, reportedly from a self-inflicted gunshot. Despite his struggles, he became one of the most influential figures in Western art. Today, his paintings are among the most recognized and valuable in the world, celebrated for their emotional depth and innovative use of color and form.

Vincent van Gogh: Timeline

1853 – Born on March 30 in Zundert, Netherlands.

1869 – Begins working for the art dealer Goupil & Cie in The Hague and London.

1876–1879 – Works as a teacher and preacher in Belgium; begins interest in helping the poor.

1880 – Decides to become an artist at age 27; starts studying drawing and painting.

1881–1885 – Early Dutch period:

• Paints mostly dark, earthy tones.

• Notable works: The Potato Eaters (1885).

1886–1888 – Paris period:

• Meets Impressionist and Neo-Impressionist artists.

• Style changes: lighter palette, looser brushwork.

• Notable works: Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat (1887).

1888–1889 – Arles period (South of France):

• Dreams of creating an artist commune.

• Famous works: Sunflowers (1888), Café Terrace at Night (1888), The Bedroom (1888).

• Conflicts with Paul Gauguin; suffers first major mental breakdown.

1889 – Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (asylum):

• Paints prolifically during confinement.

• Famous works: Starry Night (1889), Irises (1889).

1890 – Moves to Auvers-sur-Oise under Dr. Paul Gachet.

• Final works: Wheatfield with Crows (1890), 

• Portrait of Dr. Gachet (1890).

• Dies on July 29, 1890, reportedly from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Posthumous Legacy

• Initially underappreciated, Van Gogh’s fame grows after death.

• His expressive use of color and emotion influences modern art.