On March 30th 1853 in Holland, a legend was born whose contribution completes every significant conversation about art. His name is none other than Vincent Van Gogh.
During his lifetime, his paintings failed to achieve the attention they deserved. It wasn’t until 1890 that his artwork gained popularity.
His tragic life was one of the reasons why his artwork became so popular. Every painting communicated a story that struck a string in the audience’s heart.
With a view to understanding everything you need to know about him, it’s essential to seep into Van Gogh’s mind.
When you think from his point of view, it may seem a lot like when you put multiple puzzle pieces together to get a glimpse of the big picture.
“I dream my painting and I paint my dream.”
Did you know that Van Gogh, known for his transcendent collection of paintings, didn’t start his career as an artist? In fact, becoming an artist wasn’t even Van Gogh’s second career choice.
Then how did he find his way to his true passion? The answer is simple “Destiny”. As astounding as it may seem, it was only after 20 years that he found his ultimate calling.
Vincent was raised in a devout household, which led him to work as a pastor after trying various other jobs, including teacher, peasant, art salesman, and bookstore clerk.
Here is a painting by Vincent van Gogh from his time spent among peasants, titled The Potato Eaters. This piece captures the humble, rugged life of rural workers and is one of his most famous early works, showcasing his empathy for the working class and his developing style.
The Spark of The Transformational Artwork of Van Gogh
His path to art journey became more solid as he got inspired by his brother. Vincent Van Gogh’s brother Theo Van Gogh was an art dealer.
After witnessing his multiple career switches, he suggested that Vincent should be an artist and that’s how a pivotal part of art history came into being.
In 1886, Vincent arrived in Paris to start his creative path. During his stay in Paris, he got acquainted with like-minded impressionist artists who contributed majorly to his learning journey.
In this period, he came into contact with a wide range of eastern painting styles. Furthermore, he also discovered block painting which played a pivotal role in his contributions to the world’s art heritage.
During this period, Vincent also recreated a renowned work by Japanese artist Keisai Eisen. This piece highlighted vibrant colors, dark outlines, and bold strokes—elements that reflected Vincent’s evolving, mature style.
This exploration marked a pivotal moment in his artistic journey, where he began to experiment more boldly with color and form.
“…and then, I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?”
In 1888, Vincent van Gogh painted Café Terrace at Night, one of his iconic works capturing the warm, inviting glow of a café in Arles under a starry sky.
What was so special about this painting made by Vincent was that it effortlessly captured the transcending night along with his emotions blasting through the vibrant colours. It is a cafe that still exists today in the south of France.
To describe the enchanting sight, he sent a letter to his sister to tell her all about the magical collaboration of colours in the middle of the night.
As an Impressionist artist, Vincent van Gogh painted Café Terrace at Night on-site, drawing directly from his observations.
However, unlike typical Impressionist works, he infused this painting with his emotions, capturing not only the scene but also the mood he felt.
This unique approach gave the piece a personal touch, blending realism with expressive color and atmosphere.
“There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.”
One of the very prominent reasons that pushed Vincent to his art journey was his heartbreak. He had fallen in love with Cornelia Adriana Voe-sticker, a widow and a young mother.
As she was a recent widow, her grief was still quite fresh and also became the reason why she rejected Vincent’s feelings. It was a feeling that he decided to channel in his work.
Vincent van Gogh’s career was remarkably brief, spanning only from 1880 to 1890. Yet in that short decade, he produced over 2,000 artworks. During the final two months of his life, his creative drive was so intense that he completed nearly one painting a day, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of artistic brilliance.
“Art is to console those who are broken by life”
When we look into Vincent van Gogh’s life, words like “tragic” and “misery” often come to mind. However, understanding the reasons behind these struggles can offer deeper insight into his remarkable story, shedding light on the complexities of his mental health, his relationships, and his relentless pursuit of art despite the challenges he faced.
Throughout his life, Vincent van Gogh was largely dependent on his brother Theo for financial support. Vincent van Gogh sold only one painting during his lifetime, The Red Vineyard.
If only he had known the profound impact his art would have on the world after his passing, reshaping the course of art history and inspiring countless generations.
His legacy, though unrecognized in his time, became one of the most influential in the world of art. Vincent van Gogh struggled with a mood disorder, which deeply affected his personal relationships and made it difficult for him to maintain stability with others.
Vincent van Gogh’s mental health struggles were deeply intertwined with his personal and professional life. In one of his most infamous moments, during an argument with fellow artist Paul Gauguin, Vincent cut off part of his own ear.
He later created a self-portrait, notably without his ear, symbolizing his internal turmoil. The rejection of his love for Cornelia Adriana Vos-Stricker also deeply affected him, pushing him further into emotional distress.
Additionally, Vincent’s battle with alcohol addiction compounded his struggles, making his journey even more tragic. Despite these challenges, his art continued to evolve and resonate with the world long after his death.
“The sadness will last forever”
The last sentence Vincent said before he shot himself in the chest. It was only two months after his stay in the Saint-Paul-de-Provence psychiatric hospital.
During his time in the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum, Vincent van Gogh created some of his most iconic works, including The Starry Night, Wheatfield with Crows, and his self-portrait without his ear.
These paintings became a medium for Vincent to express his troubled emotions and inner turmoil, with his art serving as a form of communication to the world.
He believed that painting would help him avoid the brink of insanity and provide a sense of purpose amid his mental struggles.
Tragically, just six months after Vincent’s death, his brother Theo, who had been his closest supporter, also passed away due to health complications from syphilis, further deepening the tragedy of the van Gogh story.
How Did His Art Become Famous After His Death?
After the death of both Theo and Vincent van Gogh, Theo’s wife, Jo van Gogh-Bonger, took it upon herself to fulfill her husband and brother-in-law’s dream of ensuring Vincent’s legacy.
She moved to Brussum, a Dutch town which was a home to many artists and writers. She organised exhibitions and chose which paintings to be displayed.
Jo van Gogh-Bonger played a crucial role in securing Vincent van Gogh’s place in art history. She successfully sold nearly 200 of Vincent’s paintings, helping to elevate his work and reputation posthumously.
In addition to this, she published the letters exchanged between Vincent and Theo, which became a vital source of insight into Vincent’s thoughts, struggles, and artistic journey.
Images Credits: Google
These letters have since become an invaluable resource for understanding the complexities of his life and art.
Vincent van Gogh’s life, though filled with personal struggles and heartache, left behind a legacy that transcended time and continues to inspire the world. His art, born from pain, passion, and profound emotion, speaks to the depths of the human experience.
While his works were largely unrecognized during his lifetime, the tireless efforts of his brother Theo and sister-in-law Jo ensured that Vincent’s vision would live on, reshaping the landscape of art history.
Today, his masterpieces serve as a testament to the enduring power of creativity, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, art has the ability to heal, communicate, and connect us all.
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