Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853, in Groot-Zundert, Netherlands. He was the eldest son of Theodorus van Gogh, a pastor, and Anna Cornelia Carbentus, an artistically inclined woman. From early childhood, Vincent displayed a keen interest in art and drawing, which was encouraged by his mother. This interest would later develop into his well-known and widely respected career as one of the most famous and influential figures in the world of Western art.

Vincent van Gogh moved to Paris in February 1886, where he lived with his brother Theo in Montmartre. In Paris, he discovered the French Impressionists' avant-garde approaches to painting, and this exposure significantly influenced his style. He met and was greatly inspired by artists such as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Emile Bernard, and Paul Gauguin. This period was crucial in the development of Van Gogh's symbolic and emotive use of color that would become a hallmark of his work.

Van Gogh moved to Arles, located in the south of France, in February 1888 in search of a new light and to establish an artists' colony. During his time in Arles, he produced some of his most famous works, including 'The Sunflowers' series, 'The Bedroom,' and 'The Night Café.' The vibrant colors and the sunlight of Arles were instrumental in reviving his spirit and energizing his expressive style. He invited Paul Gauguin to join him in Arles, hoping to collaborate and create a southern artist community.

On December 23, 1888, Vincent van Gogh reportedly cut off a part of his left ear during an altercation with fellow artist Paul Gauguin in Arles. This incident is one of the most famous in van Gogh’s life, signifying the artist's psychological episodes that affected him deeply. After this incident, van Gogh voluntarily admitted himself into a hospital for treatment. His emotional and mental struggles were reflected in his work during this turbulent period.

In May 1889, Vincent van Gogh voluntarily entered the asylum at Saint-Paul-de-Mausole in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. During his year-long stay, despite his ongoing psychological struggles, he painted some of his most acclaimed and visionary works, including 'The Starry Night,' 'Irises,' and 'Starry Night Over the Rhône.' This period marked a prolific phase in van Gogh's life where his deep emotional conflicts and profound creativity came to the fore, leading to the creation of seminal pieces that would later become iconic.

On July 27, 1890, Vincent van Gogh sustained a gunshot wound, believed to be self-inflicted, while painting outside in Auvers-sur-Oise, France. He was taken to a nearby inn where he was treated by local doctors but succumbed to the injury two days later on July 29, 1890, at the age of 37. His brother Theo was with him during his final hours. Van Gogh's premature death marked the end of a tumultuous and brilliant artist's career, whose influence would only be recognized posthumously.

Theo van Gogh, Vincent's brother, died on January 25, 1891, in Utrecht, Netherlands. Theo was a significant supporter both emotionally and financially of Vincent throughout his life and career. His death came just six months after Vincent's. Theo’s health had deteriorated rapidly after Vincent's death, partly due to grief and syphilis. Their close relationship was well-documented through letters, and Theo's passing further enshrined the narrative of Vincent’s life and struggles.

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam opened to the public on June 2, 1973. The museum houses the world's largest collection of artworks by Vincent van Gogh, displaying over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and more than 750 letters. It offers crucial insights into Van Gogh's life and work, showing his development as an artist and his diverse influences. The museum has since become a pivotal cultural institution, attracting millions of visitors worldwide who seek to understand and appreciate the depth and breadth of Van Gogh's artistic contributions.

On November 17, 1987, Vincent van Gogh's famous painting 'Sunflowers' was sold at a Christie's auction in London for $39.9 million. This sale set a new record for the most expensive painting ever sold at that time. 'Sunflowers' is one of several series of still life paintings symbolizing friendship, gratitude, and the cycle of life and death and was painted during Van Gogh's time in Arles, France. The enormous sale highlighted Van Gogh’s posthumous fame and the high regard in which his work was held nearly a century after his death.

In September 2013, the painting 'Sunset at Montmajour', previously thought to be a forgery or by another artist, was authenticated as an original work by Vincent van Gogh. It was announced to the public on September 9, 2013. This discovery added another significant piece to the van Gogh oeuvre, illustrating the landscape surrounding the town of Arles. Housed in the Van Gogh Museum, this painting showcases van Gogh’s skill in capturing the unique lighting and atmosphere of the southern French terrain. Its discovery reaffirmed the enduring interest and mystery surrounding van Gogh's artistic genius.